The Golden Bachelorette’s Joan Vassos was recently asked about speculations that Gerry Turner wanted to reunite with her after his marriage to Theresa Nist went south, and her answer was surprising. Joan, who recently celebrated her 62nd birthday, met 72-year-old Gerry duringThe Golden Bachelorseason 1. Joan was one of 22 singleGoldenwomen who had traveled to the iconicBachelormansion to participate in the first unscripted dating show for single’s in their golden years. When a family emergency pulled Joan out of the competition early, she was later cast as the spin-off’s first female lead.
For his part, Gerry went on to give his final rose to 70-year-old Theresa. The two were married in a star-studded wedding that aired on ABC, just a few weeks after going public with their relationship.The couple shocked and disappointed everyone when they announced their divorceonly three months later. There have been speculations that Gerry tried to rekindle things with Joan after his marriage to Theresa went down in flames.The Golden Bacheloretteseason 1’s Joan was recently asked directly about the rumors and gave a very direct answer.
What Happened Between Joan & Gerry?
The One That Got Away
The excitement forThe Golden Bachelorseason 1was palpable, and all eyes were onThe Bachelormansion when Gerry greeted his cast of 22Goldenwomen. The72-year-old retired restaurateur was married to Toni Turner for 43 years before she diedin 2018. Among the women he met that night was Joan, a private school administrator from Maryland. She didn’t stand out to him initially, but she did receive a rose that night, which kept her in the game.
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When Joan stood out to Gerry during a talent show group date, he realized she was a great catch. Joan wonThe Golden Bachelorseason 1 talent show, so she won a solo dinner with Gerry. During their solo date, they connected, andit was clear they had serious chemistry. The date ended with Gerry giving Joan a rose, ensuring she’d be there for another week. Things were going well for Joan and Gerry until a phone call from home changed everything.
Joan’s daughter had recently given birth and was struggling with post-partum depression.
Though things were promising with Gerry, Joan made the difficult choice to prioritize her family. She pulled Gerry aside and tearfully told him that her family needed her. Part of the issue may have also been that Joan wasn’t ready to move on from her late husband.She and John Vassos were married for 32 years until he passed awayin 2021. It’s possible she wasn’t ready to start dating again at the time.
Did Gerry Try To Rekindle Things With Joan?
“Really Good Friendship”
After Joan leftThe Golden Bachelorseason 1 early, Gerry went on to give his final rose to Theresa. After theirill-advised and short-lived marriage went downin flames,Gerry was a single man again. Online speculations continued to say that Gerry reached out to Joan when his marriage fell apart, hoping to rekindle their relationship.
Joan recently made an appearance on theTwo Jersey J’spodcast, where she was asked directly about the rumors. She told hosts Jackie Goldschneider and Jennifer Fesler that she did have a romantic connection with Gerry early on, but their relationship evolved into a “really good friendship.” Joan went on toconfess that she and Gerry continue to stay in touch regularly. When the hosts asked if Gerry may have wanted to give their relationship another chance, Joan responded, “I’m not gonna comment.”
Why The Rumor Is Unlikely
Gerry Was Dealing With A Serious Illness
Fans were shocked by the announcement of theGoldendivorce, and many blamed him for the divorce.Gerry stayed mostly quietwhile his divorce from Theresa was being finalized. Thankfully, they had an airtight prenuptial agreement, so they walked away from the marriage with what they brought to it. They initially blamed the split on geography, but in December 2024, Gerry broke his silence during an interview withPeople. He revealedwhat happened between him and Theresaafter they got married and leftThe Golden Bachelorseason 1.
The truth about what was happening between the couple was more shocking than anyone could have imagined. Doctors discovered a problem with Gerry’s bloodwork while doing a routine exam for a shoulder injury.Gerry was soon diagnosedwithslow-acting bone marrow cancer.The Golden Bachelorwas initially told that he had a blood disorder, which he told Theresa a few weeks after their January wedding. He also told her right away whenhe got his cancer diagnosis in March.
The couple tried to make the relationship work, but Gerry was distracted by his illness.
Gerry wanted to spend as much time as he had left with his family and just couldn’t build a new relationship. The fact that he lived in Indiana, while Theresa lived far away in New Jersey, didn’t help matters. The couple ended up announcing their divorce in April,after three months of living in a long-distance marriage. It’s unlikely that Gerry was trying to reunite with Joan when he was dealing with cancer.
Did Joan Ever Find True Love?
She Went On To Be The Golden Bachelorette
After leavingThe Golden Bachelorseason 1 early, she was cast asThe Golden Bachelorette. It wasn’t long before she found herself standing where Gerry stood just a few months earlier,meeting 24 singleGoldenmen. Among the men was 60-year-old Chock Chapple. Joan hit it off with the insurance executive right away, and the season ended with the pair getting engaged. Joan and Chock arespending a lot more time together than Gerry and Theresa ever did, and there could be anotherGolden Bachelorwedding on the horizon.
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