If you’ve been watching Days of Our Lives for even five minutes, you know that John Black and Marlena Evans are the blueprint for soap opera supercouples. Whether they’re battling demonic possession, surviving kidnappings, or simply navigating the ups and downs of life in Salem, these two have always found a way back to each other. But their love story isn’t just about steamy glances and epic reunions, it’s also about family. And let’s be real, their blended family is peak daytime drama.
Marlena Gave Birth To Don Jr. Before Welcoming Twins Sami and Eric
Before John Black (Drake Hogestyn) ever strolled into Marlena’s (Deidre Hall) life, she had already suffered some serious heartbreak. She had a child with Don Craig, a baby boy named Don Jr., who tragically passed away from SIDS. That loss shattered her marriage and left her emotionally vulnerable. Later, Days of Our Lives fans watched her fall for Roman Brady, her next great love, with whom she had twins: Sami and Eric.
Let’s just say Sami and Eric Brady are iconic in their own right. Eric’s been a priest, a romantic lead, and a source of heartbreak for Salem’s women. His tragic car accident that killed Dr. Daniel Jonas still haunts fans. Meanwhile, Sami? She’s in a league of her own. As one fan posted on Twitter, “Sami Brady is the chaotic queen of Salem and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” From disguising herself as a man named Stan to altering DNA tests like it’s a Tuesday chore, Sami has kept the drama flowing for decades. And let’s not forget her messy love life, which includes practically every eligible bachelor in town, Lucas, EJ, Rafe, Brandon, take your pick.
John and Isabella Are The Parents of Brady Black
Then there’s John, who wasn’t exactly twiddling his thumbs waiting for Marlena. He married Isabella Toscano, one of the kindest characters the show ever gave us. They had a son, Brady Black, before Isabella heartbreakingly passed away from cancer. Fans still remember that moment as one of the saddest in the show’s history. Brady, raised by John (and later Marlena as his stepmother), didn’t always love the arrangement, but over time, he grew to see Marlena as the mother figure he never thought he’d have again.
John and Marlena’s Only Biological Child Together is Belle Black
Of course, John and Marlena eventually circled back to each other, because they’re obviously soulmates. Their steamy reunion behind Roman’s back led to the birth of Belle Black, their only biological child together. Belle was named after Isabella, a touching tribute that softened even the most cynical viewer. But this is Salem, so nothing is ever that simple. Sami, in true Sami fashion, tried to sell her baby sister on the black market. Yes, you read that right.
Belle grew into one of Salem’s more level-headed citizens (well, compared to her siblings), and her romance with Shawn Douglas Brady, son of Bo and Hope, was everything a soap fan could want. High school sweethearts turned parents, their love story was a more grounded counterpart to the chaos around them.
Paul Narita is John’s Long-Lost Son
And just when fans thought the Brady-Evans-Black clan couldn’t get any bigger, along came Paul Narita. A charming pro baseball player with a tangled past and a heart of gold, Paul stunned everyone, including John, when he was revealed to be John’s son. Paul’s romance with Sonny Kiriakis, his coming out journey, and his work with John’s PI firm, Black Patch, gave fans a fresh but meaningful new storyline.
Despite the chaos, near-death experiences, affairs, and plot twists, John and Marlena have built a family rooted in love, complicated, messy, but love all the same. Whether you’re team Sami, rooting for Eric’s redemption, nostalgic over Belle and Shawn, or missing Paul’s charm, one thing’s for sure: the John and Marlena family tree is the gift that keeps on giving.
Days of Our Lives wouldn’t be the same without John Black and Marlena Evans’ iconic legacy.
Kendra Quinn 
Casey James 
