Date: 1980s–2020s

Santo DiMera fell deeply in love with Colleen Brady, beginning an affair that defied family and faith. When Colleen discovered Santo’s wife was still alive, she broke off the relationship and chose to take her final vows as a nun. Santo interrupted the ceremony with one last plea, and Colleen fled, disappearing forever. Believed to have taken her own life, her loss devastated Santo. On his deathbed, Santo made his son Stefano DiMera swear to avenge Colleen. That promise became the foundation of Stefano’s lifelong war against the Brady family and anyone tied to them. Stefano’s schemes spanned decades and reshaped countless lives. He faked the death of Roman Brady, holding him prisoner while transforming John Black into his “Pawn” by implanting Roman’s memories. He kidnapped Marlena Evans, holding her captive for years, exposing her affair with John, and revealing that Baby Belle was not Roman’s child. Stefano repeatedly tried to break Marlena and remake her as his “Queen of the Night.” His manipulation extended to nearly every Brady generation. He framed John for the murder of Tony DiMera, imprisoned Marlena in Paris, and aided Kristen DiMera in stealing John from her. He brainwashed Hope Brady, turning her into Princess Gina, orchestrated a baby switch involving Lexie Carver, and used EJ DiMera to impregnate Sami Brady to harvest their child’s stem cells. Even death did not end Stefano’s reach. His essence was transferred into Steve Johnson through an implanted chip, until Kayla Brady removed and destroyed it. With that final act, Stefano DiMera’s long vendetta, born from lost love and obsession, was at last brought to an end.