Gerry Turner, the 74-year-old star of The Golden Bachelor, has opened up about a heartbreaking discovery he made after the death of his first wife, Toni Turner, who passed away in 2017 from a bacterial infection. In his new memoir, Golden Years: What I’ve Learned from Love, Loss, and Reality TV, Turner shares the moment he learned that Toni had kept a serious health diagnosis hidden from him and their family.
Discovering Toni’s Secret Diagnosis
While going through Toni’s belongings after her passing, Turner found “evidence that she had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.” He described finding literature, prescriptions, a blood glucose meter, and other medical supplies, all seemingly untouched and unused, tucked away in a bathroom drawer.
“She’d never mentioned this big diagnosis to me or her daughters, and, as far as I could tell, she’d never followed through with treatment,” Turner wrote in his memoir.
The Golden Bachelor alum explained that discovering this after her death left him reeling with “what-ifs” and deep reflection about whether her life could have been prolonged if she had felt able to share her condition.
Reflecting on Loss and Untold Struggles
Turner emphasized that the most painful part of Toni’s death was that she didn’t feel safe confiding in anyone about her health.
“Untreated or unmanaged diabetes stresses the body, particularly the kidneys,” he wrote. “Had Toni had the means to live longer, but been undone in the end by the belief that any kind of whining was frivolous? Had I somehow contributed to this mentality? Why hadn’t she felt comfortable confiding in me about something as important as having diabetes?”
He continued, “The loss of any loved one is sad. But to think it might have been possible, no matter how remotely, for her to have lived longer or still be alive today, is even more painful.”
Honoring Toni’s Memory
Gerry Turner shared that he and their two daughters, Jenny and Angie, honor Toni’s memory every year on the anniversary of her passing. They exchange thoughts like, “If she was here, this would be what she would be doing today,” celebrating her life and the moments they wish she could still enjoy.
“She’d worked her whole life, getting to that spot where she deserved her time in retirement and her time of fun, and she got cheated out of it,” Turner said, reflecting on the impact of her sudden death.
Life After Loss and New Love
After mourning Toni, Turner found love again with Theresa Nist while filming The Golden Bachelor in August 2023. The couple eventually parted ways in April 2024 and filed for divorce, announcing their split on Good Morning America.
Currently, Turner is engaged to Lana Sutton, whom he began dating in the spring, showing that life after loss can still bring new beginnings and happiness.
Key Takeaways from Gerry Turner’s Memoir
Turner’s memoir highlights themes of:
- Love and loss
- Family bonds and honoring memories
- The importance of openness about health issues
- Healing and moving forward after grief
His story resonates with many who have experienced the unexpected loss of a loved one or navigated hidden health struggles within a family.
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