It was the fairy tale nobody saw coming, and then, just as quickly, the breakup that left everyone scratching their heads. When Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist called it quits only three months after their televised "Golden Wedding," the rumors flew fast. People blamed the distance. They blamed the "Indiana vs. New Jersey" logistics. Some even blamed his past dating history that surfaced during the show. But late in 2024, a much heavier reality came to light that changed the entire narrative.
Gerry Turner wasn't just dealing with a failed marriage; he was dealing with a life-altering medical diagnosis.
The news hit like a ton of bricks. Or, as Gerry put it himself, like "10 tons of concrete." He was diagnosed with a rare, incurable form of bone marrow cancer called Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. For a guy who had just become the face of "life begins at 70," the irony was pretty brutal.
The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
So, how does a guy who looks that fit find out he has cancer? It wasn't some dramatic collapse. Honestly, it was a total fluke. Gerry had a nagging shoulder injury from a pickleball game—classic Gerry, right?—that he’d been ignoring for a while. When he finally went to see an orthopedic surgeon in early 2024, the doctor noticed some "unusual blood markers."
That led to an oncologist, then a biopsy, and eventually the news no one wants to hear.
What is Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia?
It sounds like a mouthful because it is. Basically, it’s a slow-growing type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It starts in the white blood cells and eventually crowds out the healthy cells in your bone marrow.
- It’s incurable. That’s the scary part.
- It’s slow. The good news? It’s often managed for years before it becomes life-threatening.
- Watch and Wait. As of early 2026, Gerry is in what doctors call the "asymptomatic" stage.
He isn't on chemo right now. He isn't in a hospital bed. In fact, he’s still out there playing pickleball three times a week. But he has to go in for blood tests every six months to make sure the "numbers" aren't moving too fast. Once he hits 75, those check-ups move to every three months.
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Did the Cancer Cause the Divorce?
This is where things get a bit messy. If you ask Gerry, the answer is a heavy "yes." He’s been pretty open about the fact that once the shock of the cancer wore off, his priorities shifted overnight. Suddenly, moving to a new state and trying to blend a new life with Theresa felt less important than being near his daughters and granddaughters in Indiana.
"The importance of finding the way with Theresa was still there, but it became less of a priority," Gerry told People.
Theresa, on the other hand, had a slightly different take. She’s been supportive, but she’s also gone on record saying the diagnosis wasn't the reason she decided to end things. It’s a classic "two sides to every story" situation. Maybe for Gerry, it was the catalyst that made him pull away, and for Theresa, the distance and the lack of a clear plan were already enough to break the bond.
Living Like He’s Dying (Literally)
Gerry has basically adopted the Tim McGraw mantra. He’s leaning into the "Live Like You're Dying" philosophy. It’s kinda inspiring, if you think about it. Instead of retreating, he’s saying "yes" to everything. New trips, more time with family, and yeah, he’s even started dating again.
He recently mentioned on the Bachelor Happy Hour podcast that he’s seeing someone new. He’s keeping it low-key—probably learned his lesson from the show—but he’s not letting the "incurable" label stop him from looking for companionship.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Health
There’s a lot of misinformation floating around TikTok and Reddit. You’ll see headlines saying he’s "terminally ill" or "undergoing intense treatment."
That's just not the reality right now.
Waldenström’s is a marathon, not a sprint. The five-year survival rate is actually quite high—around 78%—and many people live a decade or more after diagnosis. The challenge for Gerry isn't necessarily a physical battle today; it's the psychological weight of knowing there's a clock ticking in the background. It’s about the "what ifs."
Key Takeaways for Fans
If you’re following Gerry’s journey, here is what you actually need to know:
- The cancer was found by accident. It shows why those routine check-ups (or even following up on a sports injury) actually matter.
- He is currently stable. No symptoms means no treatment for now.
- Family is the focus. The "Golden Bachelor" fame was fun, but he’s clearly traded the spotlight for the lake house and his grandkids.
It’s easy to judge reality stars, especially when a high-profile marriage falls apart in record time. But when you add a cancer diagnosis into the mix, things get a lot more human. Gerry Turner might have started as a "character" on a dating show, but his current battle is as real as it gets.
If you or a loved one are facing a similar diagnosis, the best next step is to look into the International Waldenström’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation (IWMF). They provide specific resources for this rare condition that general cancer sites sometimes gloss over. Staying informed about "watch and wait" protocols can significantly lower the anxiety that comes with a slow-growing diagnosis.
Next Steps: Keep an eye on Gerry's social media for his "bucket list" updates, but take the tabloid "health crisis" headlines with a grain of salt. As of now, he’s still the same pickleball-loving guy, just with a much deeper appreciation for the time he has left.