Who won 'The Golden Bachelor'? Gerry Turner proposes to Theresa Nist in dramatic finale
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The first season of 'The Golden Bachelor' has come to a spectacular end.
On September 28, ABC's 'The Bachelor' spin-off premiered, with 72-year-old widower Gerry Turner and 22 senior ladies competing for his attention.
Gerry reduced it down to two ladies after weeks of dates, hometown visits, and a steamy hotel stay in Costa Rica - 70-year-old financial services worker Theresa Nist and 64-year-old fitness instructor Leslie Fhima.
Gerry told Leslie in the dramatic series finale, which aired Thursday (November 30), that he had decided to pursue Theresa.
Leslie Fhima devastated after not getting final rose in 'The Golden Bachelor'
Leslie sobbed as she told Gerry that he could "feel how the f***" she wanted.
"I'm sorry, I wish there was something I could say, but I know there isn't," Gerry remarked in the episode that aired after the hotel stay in Costa Rica.
As the results were announced, Gerry assured the crowd that he was "very happy" with his decision.
Leslie announced to the audience that she was "devastated" as she took the stage.
'The Golden Bachelor' Gerry Turner proposes to Theresa Nist
Theresa dazzled in a light purple sequin gown. Gerry sobs as he prepares for the proposal and claims to be guided by his late wife, Toni Turner.
Theresa opens up to Gerry, telling him that she feared she'd be alone for the rest of her life when her husband died - until she met Gerry.
"The best is yet to come," she assured them.
"I want to spend the rest of my life with you," she said.
Gerry is spotted weeping at the live event as he watches the proposal.
Several audience members are observed crying throughout the nice scenario.
Theresa and Gerry have gotten engaged! Gerry requests that Theresa take the final, golden rose.
"It doesn't seem real - it's like every dream I had come true," she remarked.
Who is the first 'The Golden Bachelor' winner Theresa Nist?
Since Gerry's first one-on-one date, Theresa has been the front-runner. According to her Golden Bachelor profile, Theresa is from Shrewsbury, New Jersey.
The 70-year-old is a mom and a grandmom.
During her hometown date, which aired on November 2, 2023, viewers of the hit TV program got a glimpse of her close-knit family dynamic.
"Theresa is a gorgeous catch with a huge heart," according to her bio.
"She is very close with her children and grandchildren, and loves nothing more than seeing them all thrive," the bio further read.
Theresa describes herself as optimistic, encouraging, and ready to love again after loss. She hopes to meet a partner who will be her best friend in this next chapter of life and will appreciate all the little moments with her.
"When she's not spending time with her family, Theresa enjoys playing board games, gardening, reading romance novels, and hula hooping. Theresa is here for the real deal, and fingers crossed it's all fireworks when she meets the Golden Bachelor!" reads the bio.
Theresa likes singing in her car alone and is a lover of "both soft and hard" 1970s rock music.
According to Us Weekly, she was married to William Nist for 42 years before he died in 2014, and the couple had a son named Tommy and a daughter named Jen.
According to the publication, Tommy and Jen each have three boys.
According to her Golden Bachelor bio, Theresa is a financial services specialist who "taught herself all about the stock market."
She is a senior compliance and operations liaison at TFS Financial Services, Inc., according to Women's Health.
However, while the publication mentions her corporate bio, it is no longer available on the personnel website as of this writing.
'The Golden Bachelor' is available for streaming on ABC.