Derek Hough took home Emmy gold on Sunday night, a win that brought tears to his eyes for a number of reasons.
Accepting a Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography for a Variety or Reality Program for his work on Dancing with the starsHough’s eyes popped as he praised his wife Hayley Erbert who is recovering from recent skull surgery.
– Exactly one month ago I was in the hospital. This was a different moment – he said through tears. “A month ago there was a moment that changed my life and reminded me that I should really appreciate and enjoy every moment.”
“I want to dedicate this to my beautiful wife,” he continued. “I just flew in from Washington, DC last night. Your strength and courage this entire month has been incredible. You have inspired me every day.”
Derek Hough’s wife Hayley Erbert undergoes emergency craniectomy — what you need to know about brain surgery
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JC Olivera/Variety via Getty
On December 7, the newlyweds were in their Washington, DC, stop on their Symphony of Dance tour when Erbert required an emergency craniectomy after being diagnosed with a cranial hematoma caused by a ruptured blood vessel.
A few weeks later, after Erbert went in for a second surgery, Hough said a follow-up cranioplasty to repair her skull was “successfully completed as planned.”
“My sincere gratitude goes out to the exceptional medical team,” Hough wrote on Instagram. “Their expertise and steady hands were key along the way, ensuring a smooth and successful surgery. Especially Dr. Mai who not only performed the surgery, but was the one who saved her life 2 weeks ago.”
Julianne Hough shares her family ‘extremely tight’ after sister-in-law Hayley Erbert’s emergency craniectomy
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Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert walk after her skull operation.
Derek Hough/ Instagram
He added: “This operation marks a significant milestone in my wife’s recovery and your support has played a key role in getting us here.”
Since Erbert’s surgery, Hough has been regularly updating his social media followers on his wife’s condition and thanking them for their continued support.
“Your thoughts, prayers and positive energy have been a source of strength and comfort to us during this challenging time,” Hough wrote Thursday. “It’s really nice to know how much love and care surrounds us.”
The couple — who have been together since 2015 when they both appeared on Dancing with the Stars — they married in California last August after becoming engaged in June 2022.
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Steven Simione/Getty
Last month, they expressed gratitude for their lives and health as they celebrated their first holiday together as a married couple.
“We wish everyone a Merry Christmas! 🎄 We appreciate the greatest gift of all,” the couple captioned a joint Instagram post with a photo of them kissing in front of a Christmas tree. “The precious gift of life and the love we share. Hold your loved ones close to you and cherish every moment. ♥️”
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Watch PEOPLE’s full coverage of the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, which will air live at 8:00 PM ET this January 15 on Fox.
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