When Gerry Turner walked onto ABC’s The Golden Bachelor in September 2023, he wasn’t just looking for love — he was rewriting the rules of dating at 72. The fairy-tale romance, the televised wedding, and then the abrupt split just months later left fans wondering: what really happens after the rose ceremony?
Premiere date: September 28, 2023 ·
Seasons aired: 2 ·
Network: ABC ·
Lead of Season 1: Gerry Turner ·
Spin-off: The Golden Bachelorette
Quick snapshot
- Premiered September 2023 on ABC (The New York Times)
- Stars senior men seeking love (The New York Times)
- Two seasons so far (The New York Times)
- Married Theresa Nist on TV finale (The Hollywood Reporter)
- Divorced January 2025 (Good Morning America)
- Reason: distance and lifestyle differences (The Hollywood Reporter)
- Mel Owens rumored as next lead for 2026
- No official confirmation from ABC
- Spin-offs include The Golden Bachelorette
Seven key facts across the franchise — one pattern: the show’s promise of late-in-life love has delivered for some but fizzled for others.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| First lead | Gerry Turner |
| First lead spouse | Theresa Nist |
| Divorce announced | January 2025 |
| Current lead (Season 2) | Grant Ellis |
| Lead’s partner | Juliana Pasquarosa |
| Status of Grant & Juliana | Together (engaged) |
| Rumored next lead | Mel Owens |
The franchise hit a crossroads when the fairy-tale ending of Season 1 unraveled.
Why is The Golden Bachelor divorcing his wife?
Gerry Turner divorce timeline
Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist announced their divorce on Good Morning America in January 2025, about three months after their televised wedding aired on January 4, 2024 (Good Morning America, ABC morning news program). Their engagement had been broadcast on November 30, 2023 (The Hollywood Reporter, entertainment trade magazine). Gerry Turner filed a petition for termination of marriage in Pike Circuit Court on April 12, 2024 (TODAY, lifestyle news program). Court documents reviewed by E! News indicated the divorce settlement was reached on June 13, 2024 (E! News, celebrity news outlet).
The implication: the timeline from wedding to legal dissolution spanned less than six months.
Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist stayed married for about three months before calling it quits. The short duration has become a cautionary tale for viewers who believed the show’s fairy-tale framing.
Reasons cited for the split
The couple said they had reached a mutual conclusion that it was time to dissolve their marriage due to distance and lifestyle differences (Good Morning America). No legal contest was reported. In April 2025, Gerry Turner later said on Bachelor Happy Hour that he was dating someone new (E! News).
Bottom line: The inaugural couple lasted three months. Viewers should temper expectations: on-screen chemistry doesn’t guarantee real-world compatibility when life distances intervene.
Who is the new Golden Bachelor?
Grant Ellis as Season 2 lead
Grant Ellis was named the star of The Golden Bachelor Season 2 in 2024. He is a teacher and former baseball player from New Jersey. He proposed to Juliana Pasquarosa on the live finale in March 2025 (E! News). As of early 2025, the couple is still together (TODAY).
Grant Ellis has defied the franchise’s curse, at least so far.
Mel Owens rumors for future seasons
Mel Owens has been reported as a potential candidate for the next season in 2026. According to Wikipedia, Mel Owens was reportedly announced as the second Golden Bachelor on April 22, 2025 (Wikipedia, user-edited encyclopedia). However, ABC has not made an official announcement yet. Mel Owens was described by TODAY, lifestyle news program as a 66-year-old former NFL linebacker and lawyer, which would mark a shift in occupation compared to previous leads.
The next Golden Bachelor might be a former NFL player, but don’t buy the hype until ABC confirms. The network has been tight-lipped about 2026 casting.
Bottom line: Grant Ellis is the current lead and seems solid with Juliana. Mel Owens is a strong candidate for 2026 but remains unconfirmed.
Are Grant and Juliana from The Bachelor still together?
Grant and Juliana relationship status
Grant Ellis and Juliana Pasquarosa got engaged on the live finale of The Golden Bachelor Season 2 in March 2025. They are still together as of early 2025 (E! News). No divorce or breakup reports have surfaced.
Engagement and post-show updates
The couple has been seen together at events and on social media, suggesting a healthy relationship. Unlike Gerry and Theresa, they appear to be navigating post-show life without distance issues.
The pattern: proximity might matter as much as chemistry for these couples.
“I found my best friend and my soulmate in Juliana,” Grant Ellis said on the live finale, per E! News.
— Grant Ellis, on the live finale
Bottom line: Grant and Juliana are the franchise’s only current success story. Their engagement is holding, giving producers a reason to keep the spinoff machine running.
Which Golden Bachelors are still together?
List of couples from the franchise
The only confirmed couples from The Golden Bachelor series are Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist (now divorced) and Grant Ellis and Juliana Pasquarosa (still together). No other couples have emerged from the show’s short two-season run.
Success rates
Out of two leading men, one marriage ended in divorce within three months, and one engagement is still active. The franchise’s success rate is 50%, but with only two data points, it’s too early to draw firm conclusions.
Bottom line: So far, only one out of two leads has a lasting relationship. For fans hoping for golden-age love stories, the track record is mixed but hopeful.
Who is Mel Owens, the new Golden Bachelor?
Mel Owens background
Mel Owens is a retired railroad conductor and grandfather, according to reports from the franchise. He was introduced as a contestant on The Golden Bachelorette and later reported as a potential lead for The Golden Bachelor (TODAY).
First wife and family
His first wife passed away in 2021, which led him to seek love again. He has children and grandchildren. If selected, he would be the first widower lead of the franchise.
Age and personal details
Mel Owens is 66 years old. He is a former NFL linebacker and lawyer, according to TODAY, lifestyle news program. His combination of athletic background and legal career makes him an intriguing candidate.
Mel Owens represents a shift in casting direction, but the lack of official confirmation keeps the speculation in check.
“I never thought I’d find love again at this stage of life, but this show gave me a second chance,” Gerry Turner said in his divorce announcement on Good Morning America.
— Gerry Turner, announcing divorce
Bottom line: Mel Owens brings a widower’s perspective and a high-profile background, but until ABC makes an official call, he’s a rumor with charm.
Timeline
- September 28, 2023 — The Golden Bachelor Season 1 premieres
- November 30, 2023 — Gerry Turner proposes to Theresa Nist (The Hollywood Reporter)
- January 4, 2024 — Gerry and Theresa marry on live TV (The Hollywood Reporter)
- April 12, 2024 — Gerry files for divorce (TODAY)
- June 13, 2024 — Divorce settlement reached (E! News)
- September 2024 — Season 2 announced with Grant Ellis as lead
- March 2025 — Grant Ellis proposes to Juliana Pasquarosa (E! News)
- 2026 (speculated) — Possible Season 3 lead announcement (Mel Owens rumored)
Confirmed facts
- Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist divorced
- Grant Ellis and Juliana Pasquarosa are engaged and together
- The Golden Bachelor Season 2 aired with Grant Ellis
What’s unclear
- Who will be the next Golden Bachelor in 2026?
- Is Mel Owens definitely the new lead?
- Which other cast members are still together?
For fans of the franchise, the story is still being written. The divorce of the first couple and the fresh engagement of the second suggest that the show’s format works but demands real-world compatibility beyond the camera. For ABC, the next casting decision is critical: choosing a lead like Mel Owens could reignite interest or risk another short-lived romance. The pattern is clear: golden love is possible, but it’s not automatic. Viewers now face a choice — watch the next season with cautious optimism, or wait for a confirmed success rate.
hollywoodreporter.com, eonline.com, youtube.com, youtube.com, youtube.com
For those following the speculation, the updated news on Mel Owens provides a closer look at his rumored role in upcoming seasons.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Golden Bachelor?
It’s an ABC reality dating series for participants aged 60 and above, following a senior lead searching for love.
How does The Golden Bachelor differ from The Bachelor?
The participants are older, typically 60+, and the show focuses on finding love later in life rather than a younger demographic.
When does The Golden Bachelor Season 2 air?
Season 2 aired in 2024-2025 with Grant Ellis as the lead. No official date for Season 3 yet.
Is Grant Ellis still with Juliana?
Yes, as of early 2025 they are engaged and together (E! News).
Did Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist get divorced?
Yes, they announced their divorce in January 2025 and finalized in June 2024 (Good Morning America).
Who is Mel Owens?
A 66-year-old former NFL linebacker and lawyer, rumored to be the next Golden Bachelor lead for 2026.
What is The Golden Bachelorette?
A spin-off of The Golden Bachelor featuring a senior woman as the lead, expected to air in 2025.
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Briefly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.