Susan Seaforth-Hayes’ Special Message to Fans

It’s been almost a week since the daytime community lost legendary DAYS OF OUR LIVES actor Bill Hayes (Doug), who passed away on Jan. 12 at the age of 98. Over the past several days, fans, friends, and colleagues have taken to social media to share their memories of the beloved daytime icon. And now, his widow and longtime co-star, Susan Seaforth-Hayes (Julie), has released a statement thanking the community for their love and support.

On the Instagram account that Seaforth-Hayes shared with her late husband, she posted a vintage photo of the pair, who were married for 50 years. “To all of you who honored my Billy with a word of remembrance, a sense of personal loss, or even a tear — I thank you,” she wrote, speaking out for the first time since her husband’s death.

Seaforth-Hayes went on to confess that the sweet tributes about her husband have meant the world to her during this difficult time. “You touched my heart by seeing in him the goodness and joy I experienced every moment of our wonderful marriage.”

Partners in real life and reel life, the Hayeses were married in 1974 and their alter egos were a DAYS staple for over five decades. Doug and Julie are widely believed to be the first soap supercouple, leading the pair to grace the January 12, 1976, cover of Time magazine — the only edition to ever feature daytime actors. In 2018, each of them received Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Concluding her statement, Seaforth-Hayes offered words of encouragement to her followers, inspired by the love of her life. “May we all embrace life with the gusto of Bill Hayes — and enrich it with grace and love. xx Susan,” she wrote, punctuating her post with a heart emoji.