Hayley Erbert: Brain Surgery, Baby with Derek Hough, Age

When a dancer who has spent her life moving gracefully suddenly faces a moment where her own body turns against her, the story stops being about choreography. Hayley Erbert, known to millions as Derek Hough’s wife and a Dancing with the Stars tour performer, endured an emergency craniectomy in December 2023 after a cranial hematoma — and then, just two years later, welcomed a daughter.

Instagram followers: 910,000 ·
Spouse: Derek Hough (married 2023) ·
Child: Daughter Everley (born 2026) ·
Known for: Dancer, Dancing with the Stars performer

Six key facts about Hayley Erbert, one pattern: her life has been defined by resilience through a major health crisis and a rapid transition into motherhood.

Did Derek Hough and Hayley have a baby?

Yes. Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert welcomed their first child, a daughter named Everley Capri Hough, on December 29, 2025, as reported by People (celebrity news authority). The baby arrived nearly two years after Erbert’s emergency craniectomy, a timeline that Fox News (entertainment news outlet) highlighted as a remarkable recovery milestone.

When did Hayley Erbert give birth?

• Hayley Erbert gave birth on December 29, 2025 (People (celebrity news authority))
• The couple announced the pregnancy in July 2025 (ABC7 (local news affiliate))
• The pregnancy came after a previous pregnancy loss, per ABC7

What is the baby’s name?

• The baby’s name is Everley Capri Hough (People (celebrity news authority))
• Hayley announced the birth on Instagram
• Derek Hough described her as “my baby daddy” in a May 2026 Instagram post

The pattern: this sequence of events illustrates the remarkable resilience of the couple.

What exactly happened to Hayley Erbert?

In December 2023, Hayley Erbert suffered a burst blood vessel in her brain and was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma. She underwent an emergency craniectomy — a surgery where part of the skull is removed to relieve pressure on the brain — as reported by Entertainment Weekly (entertainment news authority). Derek Hough was by her side throughout the ordeal.

The medical emergency in December 2023

• Erbert suffered a cranial hematoma (burst blood vessel) (Fox News (entertainment news outlet))
• The event was life-threatening, according to Good Morning America coverage (Good Morning America (morning news program))
• She had no prior symptoms before the event

Emergency skull surgery

• The surgery was an emergency craniectomy (Entertainment Weekly (entertainment news authority))
• Part of her skull was removed to relieve brain pressure
• Derek Hough was present and supportive throughout

Recovery and aftermath

• Erbert made a full recovery, as reported by multiple outlets
• She and Hough appeared on Good Morning America in June 2026 for their first live TV interview since the surgery (Entertainment Weekly (entertainment news authority))
• ABC News video coverage in June 2026 said the couple discussed their journey in a new documentary (ABC News (national news network))

For Hayley Erbert, this period demonstrates that even severe medical emergencies can lead to full recovery and new life milestones.

What caused Hayley Erbert to have a brain bleed?

The cause of Hayley Erbert’s brain bleed was a ruptured arteriovenous malformation (AVM) — an abnormal tangle of blood vessels in the brain. AVMs are congenital but often go undetected until they rupture, as reported by Fox News (entertainment news outlet).

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) as the likely cause

• AVMs are abnormal tangles of blood vessels that disrupt normal blood flow
• When they rupture, they cause bleeding in the brain (hemorrhage)
• Hayley had no prior symptoms before the rupture

Risk factors and symptoms

• AVMs are typically congenital (present at birth)
• Symptoms before rupture can include headaches, seizures, or neurological deficits — but many people have none
• Hayley’s case was asymptomatic until the rupture

Diagnosis and treatment

• Erbert was diagnosed with a cerebral AVM after the hemorrhage
• She underwent surgical resection (removal of the AVM) as part of her treatment
• She is now healthy and active, according to follow-up reports

The implication: this case underscores the importance of awareness and rapid medical response.

What medical condition does Derek Hough’s wife have?

Hayley Erbert was diagnosed with a cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) — a condition where abnormal blood vessels in the brain create a tangle that can rupture. The condition was treated with surgical resection, and she has since made a full recovery, as reported by Entertainment Weekly (entertainment news authority).

Definition of cerebral AVM

• A cerebral AVM is an abnormal connection between arteries and veins in the brain
• It bypasses the normal capillary network, creating a tangle of blood vessels
• This tangle is prone to rupture, causing bleeding in the brain

How AVMs are treated

• Surgical resection (removal of the AVM) is one treatment option
• Embolization (blocking blood flow to the AVM) and radiosurgery are alternatives
• Hayley underwent surgical resection as part of her craniectomy recovery

Long-term outlook

• After successful treatment, most patients can return to normal activities
• Hayley is now healthy and active, as confirmed by her pregnancy and public appearances
• Regular follow-up imaging is typically recommended

For Erbert, the choice was made by circumstance: immediate surgery was required.

What is the age difference between Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough?

Derek Hough was born on May 17, 1985, making him approximately 40 years old as of 2025. Hayley Erbert’s exact birth date is not publicly confirmed, but estimates place her in her late 20s or early 30s, making the age difference approximately 10 years.

How old is Hayley Erbert?

• Hayley Erbert’s exact birth date is not publicly confirmed
• Estimates place her in her late 20s or early 30s
• She began dancing at age 3 and has been performing professionally for over a decade

How old is Derek Hough?

• Derek Hough was born May 17, 1985 (People (celebrity news authority))
• He is approximately 40 years old as of 2025
• He is a six-time Emmy-winning choreographer and DWTS pro

Age gap calculation

• The age difference is approximately 10 years
• Derek is the older partner
• The couple married in 2023 after several years of dating

The pattern: the couple’s compressed timeline of major events is as notable as the age gap itself.

Timeline: Key events in Hayley Erbert’s story

For more stories of celebrity health recoveries, see Kim Woo Bin’s Cancer Recovery and Marriage to Shin Min-ah and Bob Odenkirk: Heart Attack, Career, Net Worth, and Biography.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

The confirmed facts outweigh the unknowns, giving a clear picture of her healthiest journey.

Quotes from Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough

“My husband. My love. My soulmate. My forever dance partner. My best friend. My baby daddy.”

— Hayley Erbert, Instagram post (May 2026), as reported by People (celebrity news authority)

“Derek was by Hayley’s side as she underwent emergency skull surgery due to a burst blood vessel.”

— E! News (entertainment news outlet), reporting on the December 2023 medical emergency

“The couple discussed their journey to recovery in a new documentary.”

— ABC News (national news network), June 2026 coverage

“Hayley Erbert says pregnancy is ‘miracle’ on 2-year anniversary of emergency brain surgery.”

— People (celebrity news authority), December 2025

The pattern across these quotes is clear: Erbert and Hough have chosen to share their most vulnerable moments — from the hospital bed to the delivery room — with the public. For a couple whose careers are built on performance and public visibility, this transparency has deepened their connection with fans.

For more on how the couple navigated this challenging period, read about Derek Houghs family tragedy and his life beyond the ballroom.

Frequently asked questions

For Hayley Erbert, the journey from emergency brain surgery to motherhood is not just a personal triumph — it’s a public narrative that challenges assumptions about what’s possible after a life-threatening medical event. The implication for fans and medical observers alike is clear: with timely intervention, strong support systems, and resilience, recovery can be complete enough to embrace life’s next chapter.