Deidre Hall, the iconic Dr. Marlena Evans of “Days of our Lives” for over four decades, cherishes both her enduring career and the blessings in her personal life.¹ Despite facing years of infertility, Hall realized her dream of motherhood through surrogacy. Married four times, with her fourth husband, TV producer Steve Sohmer, being the father of her sons, Hall navigated a personal journey that ultimately led to the births of David Atticus in 1992 and Tully Chapin in 1995, both carried by a surrogate named Robin. Though she and Sohmer divorced in 2006 and Hall doesn’t plan to remarry, her fulfillment comes from her successful career and her two grown-up children.

Reflecting on her decades in the entertainment industry, Hall expresses immense gratitude for her role on “Days of our Lives,” never taking its continued success for granted. While her four marriages didn’t last, she views them positively, acknowledging the personal growth and even lasting friendships that resulted from those experiences. Coming from a large family, motherhood was always a deep desire for Hall. After unsuccessful fertility treatments, she embraced surrogacy, a journey that was even turned into a film, though casting proved challenging due to the desire to incorporate real footage from her son’s birth.

Finding the right surrogate was a significant step for Hall, and she felt a sense of security and trust in Robin after observing her with her own children. While adoption was also a consideration, surrogacy presented itself as the first viable path to parenthood. Hall ensured that her sons understood their unique beginnings, openly discussing their birth story. A touching anecdote reveals her son David’s innocent curiosity about his birth, showing his understanding of their special journey to becoming a family.

Motherhood has brought immense joy to Hall, and she expresses profound gratitude for her children, her family, and her fulfilling career. Despite the non-traditional path to parenthood, she revels in the happiness of seeing her sons thriving and her life filled with love and purpose. Hall appreciates her health, her beloved home and garden, and the rewarding job she continues to enjoy, highlighting a deep sense of contentment and thankfulness for all aspects of her life.

In essence, Deidre Hall’s life story is one of resilience and gratitude. From her iconic career on daytime television to her heartfelt journey to motherhood through surrogacy, she has embraced life’s challenges and celebrated its joys. Her positive outlook on past relationships, her openness about her path to having children, and her deep appreciation for her family and career paint a picture of a woman who has found profound fulfillment on her own terms, serving as an inspiring example of navigating life’s unexpected turns with grace and thankfulness.