Deidre Hall Children: The Inspiring Real-Life Surrogacy Story Behind The Daytime Icon
Daytime television legend Deidre Hall, celebrated worldwide for her iconic portrayal of Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives, has built a monumental career spanning over five decades. While her fictional life in Salem has seen endless drama, her real-life journey to motherhood—raising two adult sons, David Atticus Sohmer and Tully Chapin Sohmer—remains one of her most inspiring chapters. As Hall continues her historic television run in 2026, public interest in her family life and ground-breaking surrogacy story remains exceptionally high.
| Profile Detail | Key Information |
|---|---|
| Subject | Deidre Hall (Daytime Emmy Nominee & TV Icon) |
| Children | David Atticus Sohmer, Tully Chapin Sohmer |
| Father | Steve Sohmer (m. 1991–2006) |
| Birth Dates | Aug 23, 1992 (David) & Jan 19, 1995 (Tully) |
| Path to Parenthood | Gestational Surrogacy (Surrogate: Robin B.) |
| Current Status (2026) | Both sons living private, successful adult lives |
Breaking Hollywood Taboos: Hall's Historic Path to Motherhood
During the early 1990s, opening up about severe fertility struggles was rare for high-profile celebrities. After facing a painful diagnosis of severe endometriosis, Deidre Hall and her then-husband, author and television executive Steve Sohmer, explored alternative options to start a family. They ultimately chose gestational surrogacy, partnering with a surrogate named Robin B. to welcome their first son, David Atticus Sohmer, on August 23, 1992.
The couple welcomed their second son, Tully Chapin Sohmer, on January 19, 1995, through the same gestational surrogate. Hall's decision to speak openly about her fertility journey helped destigmatize surrogacy for thousands of aspiring parents nationwide. Her story resonated so deeply that it inspired the hit 1995 television film Never Say Never: The Deidre Hall Story, in which Hall starred as herself to educate the public on gestational surrogacy.
Raising Boys in the Spotlight: Life for David and Tully Sohmer Today
Despite growing up as the children of one of the most recognizable figures on network television, David Sohmer and Tully Sohmer were raised with a strong sense of privacy and grounding away from Hollywood cameras. Hall managed intense 14-hour shooting schedules on the set of Days of Our Lives while maintaining active daily involvement in her sons' schooling, sports, and upbringing.
- David Atticus Sohmer: Now in his 30s, David has maintained a private profile outside the entertainment industry, focusing on his personal career goals.
- Tully Chapin Sohmer: Like his brother, Tully lives away from the glare of daytime television, occasionally making rare appearances alongside his mother at public honors and red carpet events.
Throughout her career, Hall has emphasized that raising her two sons remains her greatest personal achievement, far surpassing any daytime television award or Hollywood milestone.
Deidre Hall Opened Up About 40 Years On "Days Of Our Lives" And Her ...
A Lasting Family Legacy and Ongoing Influence in 2026
As of 2026, Deidre Hall remains an active force on daytime television while maintaining a close bond with her grown children. Her early advocacy for family-building alternatives laid crucial groundwork for today's open discussions surrounding IVF, gestational surrogacy, and modern parenthood within the entertainment industry.
Hall’s impact extends far beyond her legendary soap opera storylines. By utilizing her national platform with courage and vulnerability, she helped reframe how society views alternative paths to parenthood, proving that maternal love defines family far more than biological mechanics.
