If you spent any part of the early 2010s glued to The Vampire Diaries, you weren't just watching a show about bloodsuckers and love triangles. You were watching a real-life romance unfold in the background of Mystic Falls. Fans were obsessed. Honestly, "Delena" wasn't just a ship name; it was a cultural phenomenon. But the question that still pops up in every fan forum and TikTok comment section is: how long did Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev date in the real world?
It wasn't just a summer fling. It lasted years.
The timeline is a bit of a puzzle because they were masters at keeping things quiet, at least in the beginning. Most people don't realize that by the time they officially "came out" as a couple, they’d already been together for quite a while.
The Stealthy Start of the Salvatore Romance
Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder met on set in 2009. At the time, Nina was barely 20, and Ian was 30. Despite the age gap, the chemistry was immediate. However, Nina was vocal about not wanting to date a coworker. She told Seventeen magazine in 2012 that her goal was to be professional, but sometimes you just can’t fight a connection.
They started dating privately in 2010.
Fans started noticing things. There were sightings at Coachella. There were photos of them in Paris with their mothers. You don't take your moms to Paris together unless things are getting serious. Yet, they played it cool. They didn't walk a red carpet as a confirmed couple until June 2011 at the MuchMusic Video Awards.
🔗 Read more: Does Emmanuel Macron Have Children? The Real Story of the French President’s Family Life
How Long Did Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev Date Exactly?
If you do the math from their quiet start in 2010 to their eventual split, the couple was together for three years.
They officially called it quits in May 2013.
Think about that for a second. Three years is a lifetime in "Hollywood years," especially when you spend 15 hours a day working with your partner. They survived the pressure of a massive fandom and the intense filming schedule of a hit CW show.
- 2010: The relationship begins behind closed doors.
- 2011: They go public at the MMVAs.
- 2012: The peak of their public romance (vacations, press tours, domestic bliss).
- 2013: The breakup is confirmed in May.
Even after the breakup, they had to keep playing lovers on screen. That sounds like a nightmare, right? Imagine having to film a steamy scene with your ex while the whole world is Googling why you broke up. Surprisingly, they handled it with an insane amount of grace.
Why Did the "It Couple" Actually Break Up?
The rumors were everywhere. People wanted drama. They wanted a villain. But the reality was way more mundane—and honestly, more relatable.
💡 You might also like: Judge Dana and Keith Cutler: What Most People Get Wrong About TV’s Favorite Legal Couple
It mostly came down to timing and life stages. In 2013, Ian was 34 and reportedly ready to settle down, get married, and start a family. Nina, on the other hand, was 24. Her career was exploding. She wanted to travel, see the world, and see what else was out there beyond the vampire world that had consumed her early twenties.
There was no cheating scandal. No big blow-up.
Ian eventually moved on with Twilight star Nikki Reed, marrying her in 2015. Nina stayed single for a bit, dated around, and eventually found a long-term partner in Olympic legend Shaun White.
The Award Show Moment No One Forgets
In 2014, months after their split, they won the "Best Chemistry" award at the People's Choice Awards. Most exes would have sent a pre-recorded video or avoided each other. Not these two. They stood on stage together and cracked jokes about their breakup.
"We started dating in real life," Ian said to the crowd.
"And then we broke up in real life," Nina added.
"And yet our characters are still dating on the show!" Ian finished.
📖 Related: The Billy Bob Tattoo: What Angelina Jolie Taught Us About Inking Your Ex
It was iconic. It proved that you can actually be professional with an ex if you both put the work in.
Where Are They Now?
Fast forward to today, and the "bad blood" that fans tried to invent just doesn't exist. Nina is actually friends with Ian and his wife, Nikki. They've posted photos together to shut down the "feud" narrative that tabloids love to push.
What You Should Take Away From the Nina and Ian Era
If you're looking for a lesson in their three-year relationship, it's about the "Right Person, Wrong Time" trope. They were clearly crazy about each other, but you can't force two people to want the same lifestyle if they aren't ready for it.
- Professionalism wins: They didn't let their personal lives ruin the show for the fans.
- Grace is possible: You can be happy for an ex when they move on.
- Growth happens: Nina's decision to prioritize her career at 24 was valid, just as Ian's desire for a family was.
If you’re still feeling nostalgic, the best way to relive the magic is a Season 3 rewatch. That’s when the off-screen sparks were at their absolute highest.
To keep your celebrity knowledge sharp, you can track their current projects—Ian has largely stepped away from acting to focus on his bourbon brand and environmental activism, while Nina continues to produce and star in films. Their romantic history is a closed chapter, but it’s easily one of the most respectful ones in Hollywood history.