Previously representing a population of young singles looking for love, the popular Bachelor franchise introduced its newest star, a grandfather with “wisdom highlights,” as its first Golden Bachelor.
After teasing fans with promotional videos that showed only a glimpse of the 71-year-old, the handsome single senior was finally revealed, attracting a new audience to the show where older singles are vying for the last rose.
In a season guaranteed rife with thorns and scuffles, 25 women will soon fight for the rose and attention of 71-year-old Gerry Turner, who was finally revealed to scores of eager fans as the senior man to lead the Bachelor spinoff.
Indiana’s Gerry was introduced as a father and grandfather, the “hopeless romantic” who’s looking for someone to “share the sunset years of life.”
“It’s never too late to fall in love again,” Gerry said at his big reveal on Good Morning America. “My thoughts always go to the way I’ve done things: don’t give up, there’s always possibilities.”
Married to his high school sweetheart for 43 years, Gerry shared the tearful story of how his lovely wife, Toni, fell sick only six weeks after she retired and died in 2017.
“She got robbed. Every day that goes by, that’s the thought that I have,” Gerry said.
And, when asked how Toni would feel about him as the lead on the show, Gerry answered, “I have her picture on a dresser in my closet. Every morning I give her a nod, ‘So what do you think about this?’ For a while it was like, I was having a hard time figuring out if she would be okay. But we always told each other when one of us goes, we want the other to be happy. She’s up there rooting [for me]. She’s saying, ‘Yeah, Gerry. Do this.’”
His daughters, Angie and Jenny–who he raised with his late wife–urged their dad to join the show and are excited for his journey to find a new love.
When Bachelor host Jesse Palmer dialed Gerry into a video call to announce that he was selected, his two daughters and two granddaughters, Charlee and Payton, jumped on screen to celebrate the news.
Angie cheered, “One of those 25 ladies will be super lucky…they’ll be like ‘Yes, I scored!’”
News of his fall appearance on the show is capturing a lot of attention.
Posted on Instagram is the promotional teaser that says, “He posts his thirst traps in a leather-bound album. His DMs have postage. He gets the early bird special any time he wants. If you call him, he’ll answer the phone. He doesn’t have gray hair, he has ‘wisdom highlights.’ Florida wants to retire and move to him. He’s Gerry.”
Angie, one of the first to comment on the post, writes, “Welcome to Instagram Dad!!!! Never thought I’d see the day,” while a fan adds, “I love that he didn’t have a post before this.”
Some cyber citizens expressed their shock over his age, swooning over his perfectly chiseled face. “He is SEVENTY ONE?? Holy Crap, I would watch a whole season just about his skin care routine.”
Others said his story resonated and that they would watch the Bachelor for the first time. “Gerry, this will be the first Bachelor show I’m planning to watch. I teared up when I heard your story about your lovely deceased wife…I lost my husband of 45 years, 47 years together in 2020, yes, we married young. Before he died, he told me he wants me to be “happy” too. Good luck to you.”
Another user, who appreciates his representation, writes, “Thank you for showing people that it’s ok for widows and widowers to find love again! You deserve a next chapter. Rooting for you.”
Gerry, who’s no doubt feeling some nerves, is ready to represent as the first elderly man to lead the show. He said that it “feels amazing and it’s still sinking in.”
Though the network hasn’t yet revealed the women competing for the heart of the clean-cut romantic, Gerry said he’s looking for an energetic partner.
“I’d love it if I found a partner who is high energy…Someone who maybe plays pickleball; someone who maybe plays golf.”
Asked if there would be a proposal with the final rose, Gerry said, “I wouldn’t discount it!”
What a wonderful show this will be! We are so excited to watch Gerry Turner on his journey to find love again. It will be interesting to see if older ladies are more mature in the competition for his love or if they resort to catty behaviors.
What do you think of having a senior Bachelor? Will Gerry make you a fan?
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