The Golden Bachelor was a fun idea at first, but it ended up changing lives by the time the season finale came around. Gerry and the women on his season proved to the world that you can still find love later in life. Bachelor Nation watched on as Gerry was forced to decide between his final two women, Theresa Nist and Leslie Fhima. From a surprising decision to a shocking announcement, the historic Golden Bachelor finale was one for the books! Here’s everything that went down…
Theresa meets Gerry’s family
Jesse Palmer kicked off the finale, and deemed it “a truly historic event”. Back in Costa Rica, Gerry feels conflicted between Leslie and Theresa. The latter is the first lady to meet Gerry’s family, his daughters Angie and Jenny, as well as his granddaughters Payton and Charlee.
Theresa jokes that Gerry was the best choice for the Golden Bachelor, and we agree! Angie and Jenny pull Theresa, who tells them that she has had a great connection with their dad since the beginning. In another room, Payton and Charlee tell Gerry they’re glad to see him happy. Awe! Theresa tells Angie and Jenny more about herself, and admits that she would say yes to a proposal. Gerry’s family loves her already!
After saying goodbye to Gerry’s family, Theresa has one more date with him before the big day. Gerry reveals that he accidentally spiked Theresa’s orange juice earlier on in the day. Oh Gerry. In a more serious conversation, Theresa tells Gerry that it would be hard if he didn’t pick her, but that her first priority was his happiness. We love you Theresa!
Leslie’s turn to meet the fam
Next up is Leslie! Coming off of a great fantasy suite date with Gerry, Leslie felt very confident going in to meet his family. Payton and Charlee pull Leslie for a chat, where she tells them that she’s crazy about their grandpa! Leslie’s talk with Angie and Jenny goes just as well, and she tells them that she shares Gerry’s passion for traveling.
Leslie feels great after meeting Gerry’s family, but after leaving, she notices something is off. Gerry and Leslie’s conversation outside was awkward, and he seemed really disassociated. The two share a perplexing goodbye, with the intention of meeting up again later for their final date.
When Gerry comes to see Leslie, she gives him a photo album with all of their memories so far. After seeing Leslie leave “plenty of pages for more”, Gerry shuts down. Leslie says that she can’t imagine being without Gerry, but by the look on his face it is clear he doesn’t feel the same. Gerry and Leslie share a tearful goodbye, and he claims that he has a difficult decision to make.
After crying in the staircase outside her room, Gerry goes back to talk to Leslie. She has also been crying, this can’t end well. Gerry admits that despite it being difficult, he has fallen for Theresa and wants to take that route. Leslie becomes angry, and declares that everything Gerry told her was a lie. Gerry says it was true at the time, and that while both she and Theresa are wonderful, “only one can be right”.
Leslie tells Gerry that it is embarrassing for her to have her heart broken in front of the whole world. We feel for Leslie, but isn’t that what she signed up for? Gerry sees himself out, and Jesse comes to check on him. Gerry claims that the only time he’s felt worse was when his wife Toni passed away. Yikes!
Leslie is at ATFR
Leslie returns for After The Final Rose, where she sits down for a talk with Jesse. Looking back on her time with Gerry, Leslie says that she felt devastated, and that she had even written vows since she was so confident. Awe Leslie! Jesse asks Leslie if she is ready to talk to Gerry, to which she replies that she is.
Gerry and Leslie reunite with an emotional hug, and Leslie recounts why she fell in love with Gerry. She asks him where it went wrong, and Gerry says that he just found the right person in Theresa. Gerry tells Leslie that he’ll never forgive himself for the pain he caused her. While Leslie doesn’t know if she accepts Gerry’s apology, she tells him that she wants him to be happy. We’re glad these two were able to get the closure they deserved!
Gerry is ready to propose to Theresa in the Golden Bachelor finale
After an emotional reunion with Leslie, it is time for the moment we’ve all been waiting for! Theresa is nervous but ready to see Gerry, and Jesse walks her down to where he is waiting. Theresa begins by telling Gerry that she used to think love was only for the young, until she met him. Gerry talks about how much they have in common, but then tells her he doesn’t know if she is the right person for him to live with?
Sike! Theresa is the one woman Gerry can’t live without! Theresa beams with joy as Gerry gets down on one knee and asks her to marry him. It’s a yes of course! Theresa accepts Bachelor Nation’s first ever golden rose, and Gerry’s family joins them to celebrate. We are so happy for these two lovebirds!
Gerry and Theresa make their first public appearance!
After the happy announcement, it is time for Gerry and Theresa to make their first public appearance together. Jesse admires Theresa’s ring, it is stunning! Jesse then asks Gerry and Theresa about their overnight date. Gerry says there were a lot of moments that gave him clarity, but Theresa gets straight to the point and claims she knocked his boots off! With kisses? Theresa is too funny.
The Bachelor Season 28 lead Joey Graziadei is in the audience, and tells Gerry and Theresa that he was inspired by their love story. We get a sneak peek at his season, and it surely looks like it will be bringing the drama!
Getting back to Gerry and Theresa, Jesse asks what they have been up to since filming. Theresa responds that they have both gone back to their normal lives, but talk on the phone every night. Since Gerry and Theresa both talked about wanting to learn Italian on their first date, Jesse has a surprise for them. A romantic getaway vacation to Italy!
There is still one more surprise, however, and unfortunately it is not the Golden Bachelorette announcement. I know, I was hoping for it too. It’s the next best thing, Gerry and Theresa will be getting married in a live ceremony on January 4, 2024. All of Bachelor Nation is invited!
TELL US- DID YOU ENJOY THE GOLDEN BACHELOR FINALE? ARE YOU HAPPY GERRY CHOSE THERESA? DO YOU THINK WE WILL GET A GOLDEN BACHELORETTE?
