Beloved “Dancing with the Stars” former pro-turned-judge Derek Hough shares his passion for dance with his wife, Hayley Erbert. Dance is a huge part of their lives, but there was something more important on Erbert’s mind after she underwent life-saving surgery just over two years ago in December 2023.
Derek Hough Reveals Hayley Erbert’s First Question After Surgery
Erbert required an emergency craniectomy and had 40 percent of her skull removed. This was to relieve the pressure caused by a brain bleed. She was just 29 at the time. When she woke up after the surgery, she had an important question to ask medical professionals: would she be able to have children again? Hough revealed this information in an interview with People, published on February 2.
“One of the first things Hayley said when she came to after her surgery — missing half of her skull, face swollen — was not, ‘Am I going to be able to dance again?’ It was, ‘Am I able to have children in the future?'” Hough told People. “The doctor was like, ‘Yes, of course.’ And here we are.”
Their Love for Their Daughter
Hough and Erbert have shared their immense joy at becoming parents, and their daughter, Everley Capri Hough, was born on December 29. They announced her birth a week later, sharing a black-and-white photo of their hands covering her tiny foot. She was born at home, and in the month since, they have begun sharing more with fans.
“We’ve had so many moments in life that are not as great,” Hayley told People. “So she’s our rainbow after the storm.”
The use of the word “rainbow” is significant, and Everley is the couple’s rainbow baby, as they previously revealed they had a miscarriage prior to Erbert’s pregnancy with her. “She’s been through so much,” Hough said of Erbert. “To see her go from where she was to now, giving birth, is amazing. My daughter has a great example here.”
The couple has made no secret of their happiness, sharing it with fans with sweet comments and posts on social media. Hough even proudly declared himself a “Girl dad” in his Instagram bio. Fans will also notice he skipped the Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 1, because he didn’t want to leave home without his daughter.
“Literally every time I see Derek and Everley together, I just start crying,” Erbert said. Hough added, “There are so many times where I’m just quietly looking at her and tearing up. I said this to my family: ‘Hayley was meant for this.’ She is such a natural mother.” Congratulations to the happy couple!
