Pregnant Hayley Erbert Marks Remarkable Comeback Two Years After Life‑Saving Brain Surgery
Two years after a medical emergency left her fighting for her life, professional dancer Hayley Erbert is celebrating not only survival — but new beginnings. On the 2‑year anniversary of her brain surgery, now‑pregnant Hayley marked the milestone with gratitude, reflecting on her journey from crisis to hope.
In December 2023, Hayley was rushed to the hospital during a tour performance after she became disoriented. Doctors discovered a cranial hematoma — a burst blood vessel that caused dangerous pressure inside her skull. She underwent an emergency craniectomy (removing part of her skull to relieve pressure), followed by a cranioplasty later to repair and reconstruct the skull.
The experience shook not just Hayley, but her loved ones — including her husband, Derek Hough — and everyone who knew her as a dancer on the stage of Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) and the “Symphony of Dance” tours. For a time, many feared she might never dance again. Yet, by April 2024 she had returned to the stage — a milestone many called a miracle.
Now, as Hayley marks two years since that life‑threatening event, she and Derek are preparing to welcome their first child. The pregnancy — announced earlier in 2025 — adds a layer of hopeful symbolism to the anniversary. As Hayley wrote on Instagram: what once was a fight to stay alive is now “creating life.”
In her heartfelt post, Hayley reflected on the emotional roller coaster of the past two years: fear, grief, healing, rediscovery, and hope. She thanked her body for enduring, praised her support system, and expressed deep gratitude for the second chance at life.
Derek, for his part, didn’t hide his awe — calling Hayley “a miracle” and expressing pride at her resilience.
For fans and supporters, the couple’s journey represents more than a celebrity story — it’s an inspiring testament to the strength of love, medical care, and the human spirit. The spectrum of what they’ve experienced — from catastrophic health crisis to hopeful parenthood — resonates deeply.
Still, the road to full recovery hasn’t been easy. After the emergency surgeries, Hayley underwent intense healing and rehabilitation. Scars — both physical and emotional — remain. She has spoken openly about good days and bad days, acknowledging that she still faces challenges.
Yet the fact that she’s now expecting a baby — and embracing parenthood — says much about her courage. In a world where people often disappear from public view after serious illness, Hayley’s return to dance, her openness about recovery, and now her pregnancy send a powerful message: surviving trauma doesn’t have to mean retreat; it can lead to rebirth.
Looking ahead, Hayley and Derek plan to continue their dance tour in the U.S. after the baby’s birth. The tour serves as another symbol of perseverance, showing that life can go on — and even flourish — even after the darkest moments.
For now, Hayley Erbert’s story stands as one of hope, resilience, love, and second chances — proof that life’s harshest trials can sometimes pave the way for its greatest blessings.
