At 73 years old, Gerry Turner, best known as the first-ever Golden Bachelor, is facing one of the most difficult challenges of his life: an incurable form of cancer.
But rather than letting fear consume him, Gerry is choosing to face the road ahead with optimism, openness, and a renewed appreciation for life.
In a heartfelt conversation on the April 15, 2025 episode of the Bachelor Happy Hour podcast, Gerry shared updates on his condition and how the diagnosis has impacted his outlook and lifestyle.
Speaking with co-hosts Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt, Gerry revealed that he’s been diagnosed with Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, a rare, slow-progressing type of bone marrow cancer.
Despite the gravity of the disease—which currently has no cure—Gerry made it clear that he’s feeling good and not letting the diagnosis take control of his life.
“I feel great,” he said reassuringly. “Until I have any symptoms, there’s no treatment. So I go frequently for blood tests. I’m on a six-month schedule now.”
He even noted that his doctors expect him to live several more years, adding,
“When you turn 75, we’re going to go to three-month increments,” which he interpreted as a positive sign for his future.
Also Read: Gerry Turner The Golden Bachelor Whose Charming Image Crumbled Under Scrutiny and Controversy
The retired restaurateur is determined not to be ruled by uncertainty, instead focusing on enjoying life one day at a time.
A Privilege to Live Like You’re Dying
Perhaps one of the most moving moments of the interview was when Gerry explained how his diagnosis shifted his perspective on life.
“It’s a privilege to live like you’re dying,” he said with sincerity, referencing the mindset popularized by Tim McGraw’s emotional country anthem. He elaborated that the diagnosis helped him become more emotionally available and willing to seize every opportunity—no matter how big or small.
“I don’t turn down anything. I feel like I’m more open to emotions. I’m more open to experiences.”
He shared how his current partner—whom he recently began dating after his divorce from Golden Bachelor fiancée Theresa Nist—often suggests plans, and he jumps at the chance before she can even finish her sentence.
“I’m in on everything,” he said, embracing spontaneity as part of his daily life.
This “yes to life” attitude has, in his words, made his days more vibrant and meaningful. He acknowledges that not knowing how much time he has left creates a powerful motivation to make the most of every moment.
Diagnosis and Coping
Gerry first went public with his diagnosis in December 2024, revealing it in an exclusive interview.
The cancer was discovered after he visited a doctor for a nagging shoulder injury, which eventually led to deeper testing and the life-altering news.
“It was like 10 tons of concrete were just dropped on me,” Gerry recalled at the time. He admitted to initially being in denial, struggling to accept what the diagnosis meant for his future. But with time, reflection, and the support of his loved ones, he’s made peace with it.
Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia is a rare blood cancer that primarily affects older men. It causes white blood cells to mutate and accumulate in the bone marrow, interfering with normal blood cell production.
Though incurable, it typically progresses slowly and can often be monitored for years before treatment is necessary.
Family, Love, and Priorities
Gerry said that his cancer diagnosis led him to make very intentional choices about his lifestyle and relationships, especially around the time of his split with Theresa Nist.
Just three months after they married on national TV in January 2024, the couple announced their divorce in April.
Gerry has since explained that the emotional toll of the diagnosis and their different family commitments contributed to their separation.
“I wanted my life to continue on as normal as possible,” he said on the podcast.
That “normal” included spending quality time with the people who matter most to him: his two daughters, their husbands, and his granddaughters.
Family has remained at the center of his support system, and that closeness has helped him face cancer with grace.
Now in a new relationship, Gerry has opened his heart again and is embracing emotional vulnerability, connection, and joy.
He described the experience as exciting and fulfilling, sharing that his partner’s family and his own daughters have met and started bonding, bringing him even more peace during a challenging time.
Also Read: Golden Bachelor’ Star Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist to Divorce 3 Months Amid Their Wedding
A Life Well Lived, Without Regrets
Gerry closed out the conversation on the podcast and in his interviews by sharing how he’s truly leaning into a life of intention and presence. Though he’s accepted that his time may be limited, he refuses to live in fear or sadness.
“I’m going to pack as much fun as I possibly can into my life and enjoy every moment,” he said. “And when I’m gone, I’m gone, but I’m not going to have regrets.”
That philosophy—simple, yet profound—has become the guiding light in his post-diagnosis life.
