At 82, Susan Seaforth Hayes has revealed a secret she carried for more than five decades. The actress, best known for her role as Julie Williams on Days of Our Lives, said the disclosure was not meant to shock but to honor the truth of a life fully lived. For years, the public story of her life centered on her on-screen romance with Bill Hayes, who played Doug Williams. Their first on-screen kiss aired in 1970, and the two married in 1974.
Their partnership lasted until Bill’s passing in 2024, and they were widely celebrated as daytime television’s first couple. Born into a creative household, Susan was shaped early by her mother, an actress and scriptwriter. She joined Days of Our Lives in 1968 and quickly became a beloved figure. The chemistry between her and Bill was evident from their earliest scenes together, and their connection moved naturally from friendship to romance.
The demands of the show were intense, with long shooting days and emotionally layered storylines. Susan learned to balance public performance with private life, and castmates became trusted confidants. It was during these formative years, in the early 1970s, that she experienced what she described as a brief but profound affair. The affair, she said, was known to no one in her professional circle.
It was not part of any script, and it existed in moments between scenes and quiet conversations. She carried it with discretion, understanding that some chapters of the heart are meant to remain unseen. Maintaining that balance required careful attention. Every day on set demanded her full presence, allowing her to inhabit Julie’s world while safeguarding her own private truth.
Her professionalism became a shield, and the experience deepened her capacity to portray complex emotions on screen. Looking back, Susan said she reflects on the affair not with shame or regret, but with understanding of its place in her life. It existed alongside her love for Bill, and she believes it helped define her emotional depth and her ability to connect with audiences. When she finally shared the story at 82, she did so with gentle clarity.
She described it not as scandal, but as an honest reflection of who she was at that time, a woman learning about the boundaries and depths of love while building a life both publicly and privately. The revelation was met with curiosity and admiration, not because of the affair itself, but because of the courage with which she presented it. It offered fans and colleagues a glimpse into the depth of her humanity and enriched their appreciation of the woman behind the character. The disclosure, she said, did not overshadow her marriage to Bill.
Instead, it deepened the narrative of a life lived with courage and integrity. She spoke of gratitude for the love they shared and for the audiences who followed her career for decades. Susan’s legacy, she reflected, is rooted in the authenticity she brought to her performances and the quiet courage she carried through her professional and personal life. Her portrayal of Julie taught viewers about strength, compassion, and the significance of ordinary moments.
Her 50-year marriage to Bill was a testament to partnership, grounded in patience, mutual respect, and the willingness to honor each other’s individuality. They navigated the pressures of fame together, nurturing a love defined by shared experiences and steadfast presence. Susan acknowledged that her life held both public triumph and private complexity. She described the coexistence of love and secrecy as part of the richness of human experience, adding that the quiet truths people carry can be as powerful as the stories the world sees.
Her decision to reveal the long-held secret was, in her telling, an act of reconciliation with the past. She said it allowed her to honor the complexity of her younger self while affirming the love and commitment that defined the decades that followed. At her age, Susan chose to embrace every part of her story. She expressed hope that her disclosure would serve as a reminder that human hearts are layered and that love, desire, and vulnerability are not always simple.
Her journey, she concluded, is a celebration of life’s richness and a reflection on the enduring power of love. She leaves behind a story that is deeply human, profoundly moving, and entirely her own.
