Gerry Turner's daughter Angie Turner has defended The Golden Bachelor star and Theresa Nist amid their divorce.

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Angie took to Instagram on Wednesday, April 24 and wrote about her father's short-lived marriage to his The Golden Bachelor winner, Theresa.

"It's no surprise the news of my Dad and Theresa choosing to split has sparked a range of emotions and opinions," Angie wrote.

"I love how invested people were in the show, what an experience to have you along for the ride!"

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Angie, whom Gerry shared with his late wife Toni, then addressed the backlash Gerry and Theresa have been subjected to since announcing their decision to split on April 12. On that same day, Gerry filed for divorce.

"What has been disheartening is the level of rage and cruelty that our family has been met with," Angie explained.

"My Dad and Theresa are kind, good people that made this decision for them, no one else. I kindly urge everyone to remember that behind every story, there are real people with real feelings."

Angie continued, "To all those that have chosen to show my dad, Theresa and our family love and compassion... Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Angie proceeded to give "Dear Shandy" podcast co-host Andy Levine a shout-out for believing there was a "real, strong romantic connection" between Gerry and Theresa.

Andy, who co-hosts the podcast with his wife and The Bachelor alum Sharleen Joynt, said in a YouTube episode clip that Angie linked to in her post, "Even they got swept up like kids. If anything, I think they should be given credit for ending it so soon."

Andy acknowledged Gerry and Theresa "could've milked this for a year" or longer.

"[Gerry] could've been like, 'Hey Theresa, let's get some Instagram followers, let's get some fame, let's get some red carpet.' No. [He instead thought]: 'To be fair to us, and the world, we're going to end this sooner than anyone thought.' And I give them tremendous credit for that."

Angie pointed out how Andy had "really nailed this sentiment," adding in her post's caption, "Everything always works out in the end."

Theresa also took a jab at the haters out there who have criticized the couple for throwing in the towel so quickly after enjoying a lavish televised wedding that cost ABC millions of dollars on January 4.

"For everyone else who is confused and angry and who does not understand, please try to find it in your heart to understand and to try a little kindness," Theresa wrote on Instagram earlier this week.

"Not just for me but for the world and for everyone you encounter."

Theresa called her relationship with Gerry "one of the most incredible experiences" of her life.

"[It was] something I never expected to happen at this point in my life and I truly thought it was going to last forever. It turns out, even at the age of 70, you don't know everything," Theresa admitted, adding how "sometimes things don't go the way you planned" and that's okay.

"I take so many positives away from this experience, most importantly and above all the incredible friends I now have... I ask you to please stay open to all the experiences, opportunities, and love that may come your way. Keep smiling, keep laughing... I will. I love you all."

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Before Gerry and Theresa announced their decision to split in an ABC Nightline interview, part of which aired on Good Morning America on April 12, Theresa and Gerry had appeared on a March episode of the "Dear Shandy" podcast.

On the podcast, Theresa and Gerry, an Iowa native who has been living in India for years, discussed how they fought during their marriage and how Theresa's desire to continue working a full-time job in her native New Jersey contributed to the demise of their relationship.

Gerry listed April 12 as his date of separation from Theresa in the divorce papers, and he cited an "irretrievable breakdown" of marriage as the cause of their split from Theresa, according to Us Weekly.

Theresa also confirmed on ABC Nightline that she and the retired fast-food restaurant owner had signed a prenuptial agreement.

"So many people wanted us to sign a prenup, and we do [have one]," Theresa revealed with a big smile. "We thought it would be best for our families."

Up until April 12, the couple had been putting on a united front in public.

Gerry and Theresa just recently walked the red carpet together and filmed an episode of Celebrity Family Feud, after which Gerry boasted about the couple's "blended family" reuniting on social media.

During their interview with Juju Chang on ABC Nightline, Gerry and Theresa revealed they're divorcing because neither one of them was willing to relocate and move away from their adult children and families.

"The thing that strikes me the most, and in our conversations, is how dedicated both of us our to our families," Gerry said as Theresa nodded in agreement.

"So we look at these situations and I think we just feel like it's best for the happiness of each of us to live apart."

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But Juju was openly skeptical of the couple's explanation, as many Bachelor Nation alums have been as well.

"I hear what you're saying... and yet throughout the process you said you were 100% committed to making it work," she said. "In November you told me you were thinking of moving to South Carolina to be together. How did it all fall apart?"

"Yeah, so that was the plan," Theresa replied.

"We looked at homes in South Carolina. We [also] considered New Jersey. We just looked at home after home but we never got to the point where we made that decision."

Sessions with a marriage counselor apparently helped Gerry and Theresa decide to move in the direction of divorce rather than trying to stay together.

However, the reality TV stars insisted they have not fallen out of love, despite their choice to part ways.

During the ABC interview, Theresa also insisted a November 2023 media report that Gerry misrepresented his past throughout The Golden Bachelor's production and broadcast run and allegedly had a live-in girlfriend of nearly three years before he appeared on the show played no role in her decision to divorce.

"No, not for me," Theresa said. "Because Gerry had already discussed that with me, he had already explained that to me before the report was ever released -- so we  were good with that, that didn't play into it."

"No," Gerry shrugged.

The Golden Bachelor stars also shared that they plan to continuing looking for love in new relationships.

"Oh yeah," Gerry told Juju.

"Yes," Theresa acknowledged. "And we tell everyone else to continue looking for love."

When the Los Angeles Times previously asked Gerry if he'd continue to seek stardom or just live a quiet life with Theresa post-show, Gerry had replied, "I don't think those two things are mutually exclusive."

"I can have a great, quiet life with Theresa and still look at the aspirations and ambitions that may be out there," he elaborated in December.

"But I will say this, I am absolutely going to savor every moment until I get to that altar and say my 'I do's.' I want every single moment to be as joyful for her as it is for me, and I never want to look back and feel I hurried through anything. We'll deal with the aspirations after that."

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)

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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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