Context:

In his memoir 'Golden Years: What I’ve Learned From Love, Loss, and Reality TV', Gerry Turner, the star of 'The Golden Bachelor', candidly reveals his struggles with suicidal thoughts following his divorce from Theresa Nist in April 2024, just three months after their televised wedding. Turner, 74, describes feeling trapped and overwhelmed by public scrutiny, leading to a desire to disappear rather than end his life. He expresses gratitude for his daughters, who ultimately prevented him from taking drastic action. Now engaged to Lana Sutton, Turner reflects on his past and the challenges of moving forward after a brief but intense romantic relationship.

Dive Deeper:

• Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist, both 72, met during the inaugural season of 'The Golden Bachelor' in 2023 and married in January 2024, but Turner filed for divorce only three months later, citing an 'irretrievable breakdown' in their marriage.

• In the memoir, Turner shares that he avoided social interactions due to the overwhelming sympathy and comments from others, which he found difficult to navigate, leading him to feel increasingly isolated.

• He recounts a moment of despair where he contemplated suicide while lying in bed but quickly dismissed the thought upon remembering his daughters, Jenny and Angie, stating that he didn't truly want to kill himself, rather he wished to be invisible.

• Turner's mental health struggles stemmed from his perception of public scrutiny and the burden of discussing his personal life, which he found exhausting and overwhelming.

• Despite his challenges, Turner has found happiness again and is engaged to Lana Sutton, addressing public criticism regarding moving on too quickly after his divorce.

• In an interview, he noted his reluctance to label himself as divorced, framing his experience as distinct from those with longer-term marriages, indicating a unique perspective on his recent relationship history.