Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner and Fiancée Theresa Nist Make Their Red Carpet Debut as an Engaged Couple

Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist are official for the red carpet!

72-year-old star The Golden Bachelor and Nist, a contestant who earned his final rose — and who will soon take his hand — made their red carpet debut as an engaged couple at The Golden Bachelor screening and panel in New York on Monday night.

At the event at the Times Center, Turner stepped out in a navy jacket and trousers with a light blue shirt and patterned tie, while Nist, 70, wore a tan ribbed dress with a mock neckline and a bright red long coat on top

Her vintage Neil Lane engagement ring was front and center as she posed on the carpet with and without her fiance, and between her metallic manicure and ear-to-ear smile, she was the perfect bride-to-be.

Theresa Nist at the screening of ‘The Golden Bachelor’ in New York City at the Times Center on December 11, 2023.

Anthony Behar thanks to ABC

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During a moderated discussion on For Your Consideration, the pair opened up about their time on the hit reality dating series, with Nist sharing the struggle she faced watching her now-fiancé fall in love with other women when the show began airing.

She said that she watched every episode with her daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren and that she was “appalled” by how she looked. The next night, she would “watch alone” and then certain scenes would sting.

“Gerry and I talked on the phone all the time, so he prepared me for things, but some things he just couldn’t prepare me for,” she admitted. “There are some things I just had to … I cried about a few things.”

Despite how difficult it was to watch certain moments unfold, the financial services professional was always rooting for Turner to find love, no matter what.

“I really wanted Gerry to find the right person and I only wanted it to be me if it was right for it to be me,” she said. “I’ve learned that I can do that and allow that process to happen, and I think that’s also important when you’re going through a process like this. It’s hard, but it’s necessary.”

Gerry Turner attends a screening and panel for ‘The Golden Bachelor’ at the Times Center in New York.

Anthony Behar thanks to ABC

Turner popped the question during the Nov. 30 season finale of the ABC reality series, but before Nist accepted, she shared an emotional message with her fiancé-to-be.

“I know how sometimes it seems like the whole world thinks that love is only for the young, and quite frankly, at the age of 70, I’ve started to feel that myself,” she said during the emotional episode.

“I’m so madly in love with you, Gerry,” she continued. “And I feel that life is not over for us, the best is yet to come.”

The Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist are engaged.

Disney/John Fleenor

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The Golden Bachelor proposed to Nist with a handmade princess sprinkler designed by Neil Lane, Bachelor franchise jeweler.

Following their engagement, both Turner and Lane spoke exclusively with PEOPLE about how he chose the 3.15-carat ring for Nist — and the important “symbolism” behind it.

According to Lane, the “brilliantness” of the “antique-inspired” ring appealed to Turner the most because it reminded him of his fiancée-to-be.

“The design, the elegance, it’s not simple, but at first it looks very elegant simply from the top,” Lane told PEOPLE. “But when you hold it to the side, you see how complex it becomes.”

According to Lane, Turner said it was “the way he saw Theresa… Elegant, I wouldn’t say simple, but simple. But then when you get closer, there is such depth. There is such warmth.”

Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist.

Disney/John Fleenor

Turner echoed that sentiment, telling PEOPLE that “the symbolism of it is so important.”

“It was like, as soon as she put it on, again, it was like, ‘Oh my God, this is this joyous happiness that I want to feel, that I want everyone to see,'” he added.

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Nist and Turner are set to tie the knot about a month after their red carpet debut on January 4.

During “After the Final Rose,” the newly engaged couple announced plans to say “I do” in front of a live audience on ABC’s special,Golden wedding.

“We’re going to get married, we’re going to do it as quickly as possible because at our age we don’t have a lot of time to waste,” Turner said, adding: “As soon as we can get married together, we’re going to get married!”

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Source: HIS Education