Vampire Diaries Elena: Her Fate, Family & Transformation

Few characters in supernatural TV have sparked as much debate as Elena Gilbert. From her first meeting with Stefan Salvatore to her final choice of Damon, her journey kept fans hooked for eight seasons. Whether you’re revisiting Mystic Falls or discovering the story for the first time, here’s everything you need to know about Elena’s fate, relationships, and transformation.

Portrayed by: Nina Dobrev ·
First appearance: Pilot (2009) ·
Last appearance: I Was Feeling Epic (2017) ·
Species: Vampire (formerly human) ·
Status: Alive ·
Spouse: Damon Salvatore

Who does Elena end up being with?

Elena Gilbert’s love story is the emotional spine of The Vampire Diaries. The central question—Damon or Stefan—is answered by the series finale, but the journey is layered with turns, sacrifices, and doppelgänger drama.

Does Elena choose Damon or Stefan?

Elena ends up with Damon Salvatore. After her transition into a vampire in season 4, her feelings for Damon deepen, and by the finale she marries him. According to the Wikipedia entry for Elena Gilbert, she becomes Damon’s wife and the couple raises a daughter together. The relationship is canonically portrayed as her final romantic choice.

The comparison between the two brothers reveals six key differences that shape Elena’s journey:

The pattern: Elena’s choice of Damon is tied to her own transformation. Once she becomes a vampire, the emotional alignment with Damon—who has always embraced his vampire nature—becomes stronger. The implication: her identity shift changes her romantic compass.

What happens to Elena’s relationship with Stefan?

Elena and Stefan’s relationship is depicted as a deep first love that unravels as the series progresses. According to the The Vampire Diaries Wiki (fan wiki), their romance lasts through seasons 1 and 2, with loyalty tested when Katherine returns and Damon’s feelings for Elena grow. By the end of season 3, they briefly rekindle, but Elena’s transition in season 4 changes the dynamic permanently. The break-up is amicable, and Stefan remains a close friend and brother-in-law.

Does Elena die in The Vampire Diaries?

Elena’s death is a pivotal moment in the series—but it’s not the end of her story. She dies in a human sense, then becomes a vampire, and later experiences a kind of living death through a sleeping curse.

Why did Elena get killed off?

Elena dies in the season 3 finale after a car crash triggered by a spell; a piece of rebar pierces her chest. The death is not permanent—it initiates her transformation. According to Wikipedia entry for Elena Gilbert, she is then turned by Damon in the season 4 premiere, “Growing Pains.” The narrative purpose is to force Elena into the supernatural world and remove her humanity as a human, making her a full-fledged vampire.

Who kills Elena in Vampire Diaries?

Elena is not killed by a villain; she dies in a car accident while Jeremy is under a spell. The cause is a spell cast by the character Rebekah, but the death is structurally a plot device. The The Vampire Diaries Wiki (fan wiki) clarifies that her death is the trigger for her transition to vampirism.

Did Damon and Elena have children?

Yes, Damon and Elena have a daughter. The series finale delivers a flash-forward that shows their future together.

How many kids do Damon and Elena have?

According to the Wikipedia entry for Elena Gilbert, they have one daughter, Stefanie Salvatore, named after Stefan. The flash-forward in the series finale (“I Was Feeling Epic”) shows Stefanie as a young woman visiting her parents’ graves and later visiting her father Damon. No other children are shown or mentioned in the canon.

Do Elena and Damon have a baby in the show?

The show does not depict a pregnancy or birth. Instead, the finale jumps ahead many years to show Stefanie as an adult, confirming that Damon and Elena eventually have a child. The The Vampire Diaries Wiki (fan wiki) notes that the name “Stefanie” is a direct tribute to Stefan Salvatore.

Who turned Elena into a vampire?

Elena’s transition from human to vampire is a crucial turning point. The process involves both a death and a deliberate act by Damon.

How does Elena become a vampire?

Elena dies in the season 3 finale and is then turned by Damon in the season 4 premiere. According to Wikipedia entry for Elena Gilbert, Damon feeds Elena his blood while she is still alive, and after her death, the blood completes the transition. She wakes up as a vampire and must drink blood to survive.

What episode does Elena transition?

The transition occurs in the season 4 premiere, “Growing Pains,” which aired in 2012. The The Vampire Diaries Wiki (fan wiki) lists the episode as the start of her vampire life. The transition is a central plot point that shifts her relationships and identity.

What happens to Elena in The Vampire Diaries?

Elena’s arc is one of love, loss, and transformation. After becoming a vampire, she faces a series of tragedies that lead to her sleeping curse and eventual reunion with Damon.

What is Elena’s overall story arc?

Elena begins as a human teenager grieving her parents. She meets the Salvatore brothers, learns about vampires, and eventually becomes one herself. Her story includes losing her aunt Jenna, her brother Jeremy (temporarily), and her best friend Bonnie’s sacrifice. The Wikipedia entry for Elena Gilbert summarizes her as a character who evolves from a human to a vampire, ultimately finding peace with Damon.

How does Elena’s story end?

In the series finale, Elena wakes from a sleeping curse that was cast in season 6 so she could only wake when Bonnie dies. Bonnie, now a witch, breaks the curse, and Elena reunites with Damon. They marry and have a daughter, Stefanie. The The Vampire Diaries Wiki (fan wiki) confirms that the flash-forward shows them living a normal life together.

Timeline of Elena Gilbert’s life

Elena’s journey is best understood through key events. The timeline below maps her major turning points.

• Season 1 (2009–2010): Elena is introduced as a human high school student; meets Stefan and Damon. (Wikipedia entry for Elena Gilbert)
• Season 3 finale (2012): Elena dies after a car crash triggered by a spell; she is killed by a rebar through the chest. (Wikipedia entry for Elena Gilbert)
• Season 4 premiere (2012): Elena transitions into a vampire; Damon feeds her his blood to complete the transformation. (The Vampire Diaries Wiki)
• Season 6 (2014–2015): Elena is placed into a sleeping curse by a spell; she will only wake when Bonnie dies. (Wikipedia entry for Elena Gilbert)
• Season 8 finale (2017): Elena wakes up, reunites with Damon, and they get married; their daughter Stefanie is shown in a flash-forward. (Wikipedia entry for Elena Gilbert)

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

• Elena ends up with Damon and they marry. (Wikipedia entry for Elena Gilbert)
• She becomes a vampire in season 4. (Wikipedia entry for Elena Gilbert)
• She has a daughter named Stefanie. (Wikipedia entry for Elena Gilbert)
• She is portrayed by Nina Dobrev. (Wikipedia entry for Elena Gilbert)

What’s unclear

• The exact year of Elena’s death and transformation relative to the timeline. (Wikipedia entry for Elena Gilbert)
• Whether she would have chosen Stefan if she had met Damon first. (CBR analysis)

Key quotes from the series

“Elena Gilbert is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the television series The Vampire Diaries. She is portrayed by Nina Dobrev and is the central character of the series.”

Wikipedia entry for Elena Gilbert

“Elena becomes a vampire in season 4 and her relationship with Damon begins after her transition. She eventually marries Damon and has a daughter named Stefanie.”

The Vampire Diaries Wiki (fan wiki)

Elena Gilbert’s arc is one of the most complete in supernatural drama. For viewers who followed her from the Pilot to “I Was Feeling Epic,” the resolution is clear: she chooses Damon, she becomes a vampire, she survives a sleeping curse, and she builds a family. For fans of the Damon-Elena pairing, the wait was rewarded with a wedding and a daughter. For those who preferred Stefan, the series offers a bittersweet farewell. The implication for anyone revisiting the show: Elena’s story is about growth through change, and her final choice reflects who she becomes, not who she started as.

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For a complete overview, the guide on Elena Gilberts transformation and fate details her journey from human to vampire.

Frequently asked questions