Meet Gerry Turner’s 22 ‘Golden Bachelor’ Ladies — Including a Mom of a Former Bachelor!
The first season of 'The Golden Bachelor' premieres Sept. 28 on ABC
Bachelor Nation has its first group of suitors over 60!
On Wednesday, ABC announced the batch of 22 women who will be vying for the heart of the first Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner when the series premieres next month.
Turner, 72, finds himself looking for love again after the death of his wife and high school sweetheart, Toni.
“For a while it was like, I was having a hard time figuring out if she would be okay [with this],” Turner said on Good Morning America last month. “But we always told each other when one of us goes, we want the other to be happy. She’s up there rooting [for me]. She’s saying, ‘Yeah, Gerry. Do this.’”
Turner’s daughters with Toni, Angie and Jenny, signed him up for the show. The widower knows he won’t find another love like the one he had with Toni, but he doesn’t expect to find that.
“I don’t think that’s what I’m looking for,” he told Jesse Palmer during The Bachelorette season 20’s Men Tell All special. “What I look for at the age of 70 is different than what I look for when I was in high school and college.”
In a preview for the upcoming season, Turner did, however, joke about who he hoped to meet on the show. “Best case scenario is that I find out that Helen Mirren is on the market and she’s really happy to be on the Golden Bachelor,” Turner said.
While the 78-year-old British actress hasn’t signed on for the ABC dating show, 22 other women have. Meet the hopefuls below — and see if you recognize a familiar face from a previous Bachelor season.
Anna, 61
Retired Nutritionist from Summit, New Jersey
Fun Facts:
—Anna spends her Sundays at the local farmer’s market
—When Anna dives with sharks, she goes cageless.
—Anna loves anything dark chocolate — especially lava cakes!
April, 65
Therapist from Port St. Lucie, Florida
Fun Facts:
—April has a discreetly hidden tattoo of her nickname “Presh.”
—April dreams of writing a bestselling book.
—Finding pennies out and about brings April so much joy.
Christina, 73
Retired Purchasing Manager from Sierra Madre, California
Fun Facts:
—Christina’s first concert ever was The Beatles in 1964.
—Christina loves a good dude ranch.
—Christina prefers to drive stick shift.
Edith, 60
Retired Realtor from Downey, California
Fun Facts:
—Edith is building an ADU in her backyard, and she is the project manager.
—Edith doesn’t do cold. Ever.
—Edith makes beautiful hand-painted birthday cards.
Ellen, 71
Retired Teacher from Delray Beach, Florida
Fun Facts:
—Ellen dreams of going to Africa on safari.
—Ellen loves dancing despite her two left feet.
—Ellen idolizes Michelle Obama.
Faith, 60
High School Teacher from Benton City, Washington
Fun Facts:
—Faith loves riding her horse, Liberty, through the mountains.
—Faith would love to be in a band.
—Faith hates technology that doesn’t consistently work.
Jeanie, 65
Retired Project Manager from Estill Springs, Tennessee
Fun Facts:
—Jeanie is a certified scuba diver.
—Jeanie’s favorite color is neon.
—Going to the Super Bowl is at the top of Jeanie’s bucket list.
Joan, 60
Private School Administrator from Rockland, Maryland
Fun Facts:
—Joan loves dancing after a couple glasses of wine.
—Joan enjoys historical museums.
—Joan’s favorite food is a big, juicy burger!
Kathy, 70
Retired Educational Consultant from Austin
Fun Facts:
—Kathy has been to three continents and hopes to go to all seven.
—Kathy has two adorable geriatric cats.
—Kathy is OBSESSED with Christmas.
Leslie, 64
Fitness Instructor from Minneapolis
Fun Facts:
—Leslie absolutely hates mice.
—Leslie is a former aerobics champion.
—Lady Gaga and Post Malone are at the top of Leslie’s Best Concerts Ever list.
Maria, 60
Health and Wellness Director from Teaneck, New Jersey
Fun Facts:
—Maria has never gone paintballing but really wants to try!
—Maria’s favorite indulgence is a glass of 100-year-old Grand Marnier.
—Maria loves Valentine’s Day.
Marina, 60
Educator from Los Angeles
Fun Facts:
—Marina has not one, not two, but THREE master’s degrees.
—Marina doesn’t stand in lines.
—Marina enjoys reading biographies and medical nonfiction.
Nancy, 60
Retired Interior Designer from Alexandria, Virginia
Fun Facts:
—Nancy loves a good rom-com.
—Nancy is a dancing machine, but only at weddings.
—Nancy is a Bruce Springsteen stan.
Natascha, 60
Pro-Aging Coach and Midlife Speaker from New York City
Fun Facts:
—Natascha enjoys relaxing in Central Park.
—Natascha wants bell bottoms to make a comeback.
—Natascha’s favorite thing to do on a date is laugh.
Pamela, 75
Retired Salon Owner from Aurora, Illinois
Fun Facts:
—Pamela loves a backyard BBQ.
—Pamela can’t get enough Judge Judy in her life.
—Pamela loves to cuddle.
Patty, 70
Retired Real Estate Professional from Durham, North Carolina
Fun Facts:
—Patty is an avid sailor.
—Patty loves her body glitter and encourages you to do the same.
—Patty can’t start her day without a cup of coffee.
—Patty is the mother of former Bachelor Matt James.
Peggy, 69
Dental Hygienist from East Haven, Connecticut
Fun Facts:
—Peggy has a very cute bichon frisé named Libby.
—Peggy would love to be Jennifer Lopez for a day.
—Peggy is a go-karting enthusiast.
Renee, 67
Former Chicago Honey Bear Cheerleader from Chicago
Fun Facts:
—Renee really wants to meet Harry Styles.
—Renee loves taking her grandkids to the zoo.
—Renee doesn’t enjoy fishy tasting fish.
Sandra, 75
Retired Executive Assistant from Doraville, Georgia
Fun Facts:
—Sandra says anything by Luther Vandross puts her in “the mood.”
—Sandra is very proud of her high credit score.
—Sandra has 32 favorite NFL teams, AKA she loves all of them.
Susan, 66
Wedding Officiant from Aston, Pennsylvania
Fun Facts:
—Susan has a pair of pink go-go boots that she LOVES.
—Susan dreams of having lunch with Kris Jenner.
—Susan loves eating leftovers from the night before.
Sylvia, 64
Public Affairs Consultant from Los Angeles
Fun Facts:
—Sylvia loves any excuse to put on a costume.
—Sylvia enjoys lifting small weights.
—Sylvia makes a famous pistachio cake.
Theresa, 69
Financial Services Professional from Shrewsbury, New Jersey
Fun Facts:
—Theresa loves to sing … alone in her car.
—Theresa taught herself all about the stock market.
—Theresa loves ‘70s rock, both soft and hard.