The Golden Bachelor star Gerry Turner has formally fallen in love once more. Only fifteen months after completing his divorce from Theresa Nist, his Golden Bachelor wife, Turner announced his engagement to Lana Sutton on October 3, 2025. He made the announcement in an Instagram post. He talked about how his real love said "yes" to her. A close-up of Sutton's engagement ring, a round-cut diamond set on a band with diamond accents, was included in the post along with pictures of idyllic beaches.
Since their alleged relationship started in March 2025, Turner and Sutton have taken many weekend trips, from St. Louis to Niagara Falls to tranquil beach retreats. Long before the proposal, fans could see their growing bond and sense of adventure.
However, this declaration also marks a new phase in Turner's life, particularly in light of the dissolution of his marriage to Nist in 2024. Turner's acceptance of this next phase emphasizes how love and healing can move on even after tragedy, a story that hopeful fans of The Golden Bachelor are accustomed to.
From finale to new beginnings — The Golden Bachelor engagement that turned heads
This engagement announcement provides a redemption storyline for The Golden Bachelor series, marking more than just a romantic comeback. Conversations concerning love, timing, and audience expectations have been sparked by Turner's rapid recovery, which came just months after a broadcast nuptial controversy. The decision places Sutton not only as a new collaborator but also as a significant element of Turner's legacy, one that viewers will examine, applaud, and critique.
The road from Nist to Sutton
Theresa Nist and Turner originally met on the first season of The Golden Bachelor, when Nist took Turner's last rose. They announced their separation in November 2024, despite their January 2024 broadcast wedding being a huge extravaganza. In the middle of 2024, the divorce was formalized. Nist subsequently claimed that their breakup was caused by more than just physical distance.
She said, "You really can't get to know someone in four weeks."
After the separation, Turner proceeded in silence. Later, he disclosed that he had been diagnosed with slow-growing bone marrow cancer and talked about shifting his emphasis back toward connection and family.
In the meantime, in early 2025, Turner and Sutton started dating. In Turner's and his fans' eyes, the engagement feels like redemption because of the emotional weight that the story of his loss and recovery gives it.
Sutton, Turner & the road to "Yes"
In March 2025, Lana Sutton, who has been identified by various media as a retired educator, came to prominence as Turner's companion. Frequent travel strengthened their relationship; weekend getaways became the norm, demonstrating their mutual spontaneity and curiosity. Turner emphasized how Sutton kept up with him, saying,
"Her level of adventure and mine are very similar."
In the Instagram reveal, Sutton flaunted a gorgeous diamond ring, and the engagement itself was cemented on the beach.
The post read "The Golden Bachelor is off the market. I found my perfect match and she said ‘YES’.”
The announcement has generally been well received. Many Bachelor Nation members congratulated Turner on his newfound love while expressing astonishment and support. Turner's journey via the show can be compellingly revisited along the emotional arc from broadcast heartbreak to heartfelt commitment.
Watch more episodes of The Golden Bachelor on ABC.