When a dancer’s body is her instrument, a sudden medical crisis can feel like a betrayal. That’s exactly what happened to Hayley Erbert, the 31-year-old professional dancer and wife of Derek Hough, when she collapsed after a show in December 2023 and needed emergency brain surgery.

Age: 31 (born October 11, 1994) ·
Birthplace: Topeka, Kansas ·
Instagram Followers: 910K ·
Marriage Date: August 26, 2023 ·
Spouse: Derek Hough ·
Brain Bleed Event: December 2023 (emergency craniotomy)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact cause of the brain bleed (official statement pending)
  • Whether she lost a child (no public confirmation)
  • Full recovery timeline and return to dance
3Timeline signal
  • Dec 2023: Emergency craniectomy
  • Dec 21, 2023: Cranioplasty to replace skull piece
  • Oct 2024: Return to DWTS ballroom
4What’s next
  • Continued rehabilitation
  • Possible return to touring
  • Public disclosure of baby loss rumors unlikely

The key facts about Hayley Erbert highlight a young dancer whose career was interrupted by a life-threatening medical event. The implication: a swift and dedicated recovery has become her new defining narrative.

Label Value
Full Name Hayley Erbert Hough
Date of Birth October 11, 1994
Age 31
Birthplace Topeka, Kansas
Occupation Professional Dancer, Television Personality
Spouse Derek Hough (married 2023)
Instagram Followers 910,000
Notable Health Event Brain bleed and craniotomy in December 2023

Did Hayley Erbert lose a child?

Social media speculation about a pregnancy loss circulated in early 2024, but no official confirmation has come from Erbert or Hough. The couple has not publicly addressed the rumors.

What did Derek Hough say about the rumors?

Derek Hough has not commented on the baby loss speculation. In interviews, he has focused on Erbert’s health recovery and return to dance.

Has Hayley Erbert addressed the speculation?

Hayley Erbert has not spoken about the rumors. Her public statements have been limited to gratitude for her recovery.

The implication: Without a public statement from either party, these rumors remain unsubstantiated and should be treated as conjecture.

Why this matters

The absence of any official confirmation means readers should treat pregnancy loss rumors as speculative, not factual.

What caused Hayley Erbert to have a brain bleed?

Erbert became disoriented after a performance on Derek Hough’s Symphony of Dance tour in Washington, D.C. in early December 2023. She was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma caused by a ruptured blood vessel.

What is a subdural hematoma?

A subdural hematoma is a collection of blood between the brain and the skull, often caused by a ruptured vessel. In Erbert’s case, it required emergency surgery.

How was Hayley Erbert treated?

She underwent an emergency craniectomy, where part of the skull is removed to relieve pressure. Derek Hough later said doctors warned him she might not survive the surgery.

What is the recovery process?

After a cranioplasty on December 21, 2023 to replace the skull segment, Erbert began rehabilitation. By October 2024, she had regained enough strength to perform on Dancing with the Stars.

The pattern: from a life-threatening bleed to a live TV dance performance took less than a year.

Why this matters

Erbert’s rapid recovery—from a life-threatening craniectomy to a live TV dance performance in under a year—is unusual. Most patients require months of therapy; her return highlights both her physical resilience and the quality of her medical care.

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

Derek Hough was born May 17, 1985, making him 38. Hayley Erbert was born October 11, 1994, making her 31. The age gap is 9 years.

How old are Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough?

  • Derek Hough: 38 (born May 17, 1985)
  • Hayley Erbert: 31 (born October 11, 1994)

Does the age gap affect their relationship?

There is no public evidence that the 9-year difference has caused issues. The couple married in August 2023 and have spoken positively about their partnership.

Do Derek and Julianne Hough get along?

Derek and Julianne Hough are siblings and have a close relationship, both personally and professionally. They have collaborated on dance projects and supported each other through career moves.

What is Julianne Hough’s relationship with Derek?

Julianne and Derek have danced together since childhood and co-starred in multiple TV specials. They are known for their strong sibling bond.

How has Julianne supported Derek and Hayley?

During Hayley’s health crisis, Julianne shared a supportive message on social media, expressing love and prayers for the couple.

What is Hayley Erbert’s background?

Hayley Erbert began dancing at age 3 in Topeka, Kansas. She trained in contemporary, tap, jazz, and ballet before joining the professional troupe of Dancing with the Stars.

How old is Hayley Erbert?

She is 31, born on October 11, 1994.

Where did Hayley Erbert grow up?

She grew up in Topeka, Kansas.

Who are Hayley Erbert’s parents?

Her parents’ names have not been widely publicized. She has not shared details about them publicly.

What is Hayley Erbert’s ethnicity?

Her ethnicity has not been publicly disclosed.

What is Hayley Erbert’s career?

She is a professional dancer who has performed on Dancing with the Stars and toured with Derek Hough. She also has a significant social media following: 910K on Instagram.

Timeline: Key Events

  • October 11, 1994: Hayley Erbert born in Topeka, Kansas.
  • 2012: Began professional dance career; appears on Dancing with the Stars.
  • August 26, 2023: Marries Derek Hough.
  • December 2023: Suffers a brain bleed; undergoes emergency craniotomy (craniectomy).
  • December 21, 2023: Cranioplasty to replace skull piece.
  • January 2024: Discharged from hospital; begins recovery at home.
  • February 2024: Erbert shares first public remarks, says she is “grateful to be alive.”
  • October 16, 2024: Emotional return to Dancing with the Stars ballroom.

Confirmed facts

What’s unclear

  • Exact cause of the brain bleed (official statement pending)
  • Whether she lost a child (no public confirmation)
  • Full recovery timeline and return to dance
  • Specific details about her parents and ethnicity

Voices on the recovery

“She had a severe bleed, we have to operate right now.”

— Derek Hough, recalling the doctor’s words, as reported by USA Today (news outlet)

“I’m grateful to be alive.”

— Hayley Erbert, in her first public statement after surgery, as reported by New York Post (newspaper)

“We are so grateful for the incredible team of doctors and nurses who took care of her.”

— Julianne Hough, via social media, as reported by E! News (entertainment outlet)

For Hayley Erbert, the road from a life-threatening brain bleed to a triumphant return to the dance floor is an unusual medical turnaround. For the public, the lesson is one of patience: health crises unfold slowly, and rumors deserve the same caution as recovery.

Additional sources

abcnews.com, youtube.com, wral.com, ew.com, people.com, abcnews.com, womenshealthmag.com, youtube.com, tvinsider.com

Frequently asked questions

Is Hayley Erbert still dancing?

Yes, she returned to perform on Dancing with the Stars in October 2024.

How long did Hayley Erbert stay in the hospital?

She was hospitalized in early December 2023 and discharged in January 2024 after two surgeries.

What is Hayley Erbert’s net worth?

Her net worth is not publicly confirmed, but estimates suggest around $1–2 million based on her career as a dancer and social media presence.

Do Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough have children?

They do not have children. Rumors of a pregnancy loss have not been confirmed.

What dance style is Hayley Erbert known for?

She is trained in contemporary, tap, jazz, and ballet, and performs primarily in ballroom and Latin styles on Dancing with the Stars.

Has Hayley Erbert appeared in movies?

She has not appeared in major films; her career is primarily in live dance and television.

What is Hayley Erbert’s Instagram handle?

Her handle is @hayleyerbert.