Leslie vs. Theresa! ‘The Golden Bachelor’ Had ‘A Hell of a Connection’ with One Woman
Gerry Turner
On tonight’s highly anticipated finale of The Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner will choose between his two finalists—Leslie Fhima and Theresa Nist.
Both women have connected strongly with Indiana widower Gerry, 72, on his TV journey to find love again after the tragic death of his wife, Toni.
He shared intimate time with them on the pivotal Nov. 17 fantasy suites episode before the Thanksgiving break.
Fans saw Gerry agonize over whether to choose Leslie, 64, or Theresa, 70, in romantic Costa Rica.
The former restaurant owner indicated to cameras that he expected to get engaged on the finale.
But he sighed, “I am in love with both.”
On his fantasy suite date with Leslie, Gerry boldly told her, “I think you’re the one.”
While his next date with Theresa started slower, she impressed him by describing her financial career.
Gerry said in confessional after he and Theresa had enjoyed the suite together that “it was the first day of the rest of my life. We understood each other on a very fundamental level.”
What’s a guy to do? Read on for Parade.com’s guide to The Golden Bachelor’s final two ladies!
Who is Leslie Fhima?
The former professional ice skater from Minneapolis, Minnesota, who is now an aerobics instructor and has also worked as a dancer/choreographer, once dated singer Prince.
Leslie has been married twice and her ex-husband David and their son Eli are in the restaurant business.
In addition to Eli, she has a son Zack and daughter Chloe--plus three grandchildren.
ABC
Who is Theresa Nist?
The brunette from Shrewsbury, N.J. went from homemaker to day trader to financial services professional. Theresa was married for 42 years to late husband Billy.
She has a son Tommy and a daughter Jen and six grandchildren.
ABC
Does Leslie have the right stuff?
Following the “Women Tell All” taping, Gerry’s eliminated women Joan Vassos and Sandra Mason told Parade.com why Leslie could be Gerry’s pick.
“Leslie was our roommate so we’re super close to her, so I think we’re biased,” Joan said with Sandra by her side.
“We’re Team Leslie,” Sandra affirmed.
Joan went on, “The difference between Leslie and Theresa in my eyes is that Leslie was really vulnerable. I know a lot about Leslie’s life maybe because we were roommates but she just opened up and she talked about bad relationships she’d been in and she talked about the struggle with her kids. I just want something great to happen for her and I didn’t have those conversations with Theresa and maybe it was because we weren’t roommates. We just weren’t as close.”
What did Faith think of the final two?
Faith Martin finished in third place, and recently opined to Parade on whether Gerry should choose Leslie or Theresa, “I have no idea. I think that’s gotta be between what would really be long-term sustainable. Both are quality women….both could be very good compatibility for him in the future.”
She praised Leslie for having “a super sweet side” and she said, “I never saw anything malicious come from Theresa ever.”
How did Leslie connect with Gerry?
Sandra, who got sent home on the Oct. 26 episode, told Parade about Leslie, “From what I saw, they had a hell of a connection. They seemed to respond to one another, had that look in their eyes. You know, all the love stuff.”
Joan, who had to self-eliminate from The Golden Bachelor to care for her daughter, noted, “I thought they were really cute together. I thought they had a great physical attraction that was obvious.”
ABC
What was Theresa’s journey like?
Theresa first caught Gerry’s eye during the premiere, when she confided it was her 70th birthday that night.
“I thought, why not come in my birthday suit,” Theresa told Gerry, stripping down to a flesh-colored dress.
Theresa got the first one-on-one date with Gerry at an L.A. diner during episode 2, and she made the most of it, finding common ground with both having lost their spouses.
“I married my high school sweetheart. Sound familiar?” she asked Gerry, who had also done so.
“We were together since freshman year in high school. I was 14, he was 16 and we were married 42 years and he passed away. What happened ultimately was that, his kidneys were not good and Billy always had the hope of a kidney transplant. One day when I was at work, he all of a sudden takes a turn for the worse and I ran home and I watched him take his last breath,” Theresa sighed.
Gerry said, “I am so sorry,” adding, “I know what the feeling is like.”
Smitten Gerry said in confessional, “There’s a calm, there’s a peacefulness with Theresa.”
ABC/Ricky Middlesworth
She told Gerry she was in love with him during episode 5 and said “I feel like I can’t live without you now!”. But he didn’t return the sentiment.
However, it was revealed during the fantasy suites episode that Gerry had said “I love you” to Theresa with the cameras off.
— The Golden Bachelor (@GoldenBachABC) November 17, 2023
How did Leslie intrigue Gerry?
After her limo arrived on night one, Leslie appeared in costume as a little old lady staggering on a walker.
But she tossed that away and showed Gerry her real sexy body.
ABC
Later, she let Gerry know that she wore hearing aids—just like him!
On episode 4, Leslie got a one-on-one ATV date with Gerry and she told cameras, “He’s the man I’ve been searching for for a long, long time.”
She confided to him that she’d been divorced twice and had a hard time as a single mom.
“I love the way you look at me,” Gerry told her before hot tub clinches!
During the Santa Monica Pier amusement park episode, Gerry whispered in Leslie’s ear, “You’re my girl.”
During their fantasy suite date, Leslie cheekily asked Gerry when he’d last had sex.
He would only tell her it had “been a long time,” while Leslie said she hadn’t slept with anyone for a year.
Leslie said they “got so much closer,” during their suite time.
What do Leslie and Theresa have in common?
According to Gerry castoff contestants Kathy Swarts and Susan Noles, his final ladies are similar in their softness.
“I think they both love him and they are women who are willing to follow him and adapt to his life,” said Kathy, who was eliminated on week 4. “Maybe some of us are stronger personalities that may be hard for him.”
Week 5 eliminee Susan added, “It seemed to me that Gerry liked and kind of leaned towards the ones that didn’t have a stronger personality.”
But Kathy insisted there are no sour grapes: “If it’s Theresa or Leslie, I wish them a lifetime of happiness.”
Where can you watch the season finale?
Find out if Gerry picks Leslie or Theresa on The Golden Bachelor finale and “After The Final Rose” special from 8 to 10:04 p.m. this Thursday night on ABC.
