The Golden Bachelor's Theresa Nist looks serious and serene in a montage image.

Theresa Nist and Leslie Fhima have been friends since filming The Golden Bachelor season 1, and it often feels like they’re flaunting their relationship to get a rise out of Gerry Turner. The excitement was palpable when ABC announced a Bachelor spin-off that centered around the love lives of senior citizens. Gerry, a 72-year-old retired restaurateur from Indiana, was chosen as the dating competition’s first lead. Women from all over the country applied to date the tall, attractive widower, including 66-year-old Leslie and 70-year-old Theresa.

Leslie and Theresa were Gerry’s two final women. Though Gerry told Leslie that she was “the one,” he turned around the next day and gave his final rose to Theresa. Gerry and Theresa got engaged at the end of The Golden Bachelor season 1. They were married a few weeks later, but announced their divorce after only three months of marriage. Gerry and Theresa went their separate ways, but Theresa’s friendship with Leslie has endured.

Theresa & Leslie’s Unlikely Friendship

A Unique Bond

a montage of Theresa and Leslie from the golden bachelor with orange background montage of the golden bachelor's Gerry Turner smiling with Susan, Theresa and Leslie looking shocked The Golden Bachelor's Gerry Turner mid sentence with Theresa Nist behind him against a purple and gold background The Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner talking next to an image of him and Theresa Nist smiling on their wedding day The Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner Should and Leslie Fhima in side by side images talking a montage of Theresa and Leslie from the golden bachelor with orange background montage of the golden bachelor's Gerry Turner smiling with Susan, Theresa and Leslie looking shocked The Golden Bachelor's Gerry Turner mid sentence with Theresa Nist behind him against a purple and gold background The Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner talking next to an image of him and Theresa Nist smiling on their wedding day The Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner Should and Leslie Fhima in side by side images talking

Leslie and Theresa didn’t seem to be that close while they were filming The Golden Bachelor season 1, but that could have been due to editing choices. It’s understandable that ABC wanted Gerry’s final two women to appear to be at odds over winning Gerry’s heart. Once the show was over, Theresa and Leslie continued their friendship, and Leslie even attended their lavish Golden Bachelor wedding. Soon after Theresa and Gerry announced their split, Theresa traveled to Minnesota to spend time with Leslie, and their friendship has continued to grow ever since.

Theresa & Leslie’s “Wicked” Post

“The Unlikely Friendship”


The feature film adaptation of the musical Wicked is currently in theaters, and Leslie and Theresa got in on the fun. Theresa posted a clip of the two women implying a similarity between their unlikely friendship, and that of the one between the film’s main characters, Glinda and Elphaba. The onscreen caption reads, “The Unlikely Friendship.” The post seemed like a subtle nod to the fact that Leslie and Theresa were supposed to fight over Gerry.

Will Theresa Or Leslie Ever Do Another Bachelor Show?

They Should Do Golden Bachelor In Paradise

The Golden Bachelor contestants with beach backgroundCustom image by César García

Since appearing on The Golden Bachelor season 1, there has been some speculation about Leslie and Theresa’s futures with the Bachelor franchise. While it’s hard to imagine either of them being The Golden Bachelorette, they could both easily appear in Golden Bachelor In Paradise. Though ABC hasn’t confirmed the ensemble version of their Golden franchise, Theresa and Leslie would be great additions.