'Golden Bachelor' Gerry Turner Speaks Out After Being Accused Of Lying

Rumors have been circulating surrounding Gerry Turner, the first "The Golden Bachelor" lead, and his past. Now, he is addressing the backlash.

The 72-year-old claimed that he was a retired restaurateur and owner, but a new article is circulating the internet, stating that the reality star had lied.

“The business I owned was very much like the Cadillac Diner that Theresa [Nist] and I went to on the very first date,” Turner told Katie Couric Media in a new interview when speaking on his first one-on-one date with his now-fiancé Theresa Nist. "I sold burgers and fries and shakes, and it was a very profitable business.”

He continued, “And the comments about what I did later in life, I did those after I retired. I retired at 55, and I was very happy giving back to the community and doing things that were worth something to other people.”

Turner was referring to the comments made by The Hollywood Reporter regarding his LinkedIn bio not matching up with his story. The article claims that Turner sold his Mr. Quick drive-in franchise in Iowa in 1985 before he retired -- and that he went on to have various sales and management positions within the meat industry.

However, THR says that the end dates do not match up with the story Turner told during the reality television show, "The Golden Bachelor."

“I mean, jeez, I didn’t work as a handyman for the money. I did it because I knew I was doing something good for people who needed help,” Turner told Katie Couric Media. “There’s just enough truth in [the exposé]. But I have so many positives to think about that I haven’t really given that article a whole lot of thought.”

Since he retired at 55, THR states that he would have had to retire in 2006, but LinkedIn states 1985.

Turner also claimed he hadn’t been kissed since his wife, Toni, passed away in 2017, but a woman, who went by Carolyn in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter to keep her anonymity, stated that she was shocked to find out Turner was looking for love on national television.

She then alleged that she dated the 72-year-old reality television star for three years, which began just one month after Toni passed away. After watching the show, Carolyn said that Turner is using a lot of pick-up lines on the women on the show that he used on her years ago.

For example, Turner allegedly texted Carolyn in 2017, per The Hollywood Reporter's expose, “Damn, I go to bed at night thinking of you and wake up in the morning thinking of you.”

On a recent episode of the reality show, Turner said something similar to fitness instructor Leslie, who is one of his two finalists. “I have to have you with my morning coffee, I have to have you when I go to bed at night,” he told her while they were in Costa Rica.

Turner addressed those rumors as well, stating that he wants to focus on the now and his new chapter with Theresa Nist.

A live wedding special is set for January 4, 2024.