Derek Hough Reveals the First Question Wife Hayley Asked Doctors After Her Emergency Brain Surgery

Derek Hough is opening up about one of the most emotional moments following his wife Hayley Hough’s emergency craniectomy two years ago—and how that moment shaped their journey to parenthood.

In an exclusive interview, the Dancing with the Stars alum, 40, recalled what Hayley, now 31, asked doctors shortly after waking up from life-saving brain surgery. During the procedure, surgeons removed nearly 40 percent of her skull to relieve pressure caused by a brain bleed from a burst blood vessel. She later underwent a second surgery to receive a skull implant.

“One of the very first things Hayley asked wasn’t, ‘Will I be able to dance again?’” Derek shared. “It was, ‘Will I be able to have children someday?’”

According to Derek, doctors immediately reassured her that motherhood would still be possible. “And here we are,” he said—reflecting on the couple welcoming their daughter, Everley, on December 29 through a planned home birth.

“We’ve had so many moments in life that were really hard,” Hayley said. “So she’s our rainbow after the storm.”

The couple, who married in 2023 after meeting nearly a decade earlier during Derek’s dance tour, have faced multiple challenges together. In addition to Hayley’s medical emergency, they survived a serious car accident in 2022 and experienced a miscarriage in 2024.

“She’s been through so much,” Derek said, visibly emotional. “Seeing her go from where she was to giving birth—it’s incredible. My daughter has an amazing role model.”

Hayley believes their hardships strengthened their relationship. “It created this foundation that’s so strong,” she explained. “Derek describes it like a tree—the roots go so deep that no storm could ever shake us.”

Since Everley’s arrival, the couple has embraced parenthood with overwhelming gratitude and joy.

“Every time I see Derek with Everley, I just start crying,” Hayley said. Derek echoed the sentiment, adding, “There are moments when I just look at her and tear up. Hayley was meant to be a mother.”

As for expanding their family, Derek says the couple is already open to the idea. “We’re like, ‘Alright, let’s go!’”