10 Most Iconic Victor Newman Moments from The Young and the Restless

Victor Newman is the proverbial man of the hour who bears the crown and gloom of The Young and the Restless. The stern and callous patriarch of the Newman family has continuously held sway over Genoa City for decades, equipped with a brilliant brain, dubious machinations, and an indomitable will. Right from his epic and sweeping love story with Nikki to bitter rivalries and heroic escapes from the hands of the devil, Victor has remained one of the most captivating characters in soap history.

The business empire of Victor's creation, Newman Enterprises, became somewhat of a double-edged sword for him; sometimes a source of strength, and at times a cause of family rifts that lead to betrayal and power struggles so engaging that they keep the audience glued. His old age notwithstanding, Victor still struts about in his boss-like aura, hatching plans to remember the rest of Genoa City from these well-orchestrated misadventures.

Here are a few of the top ten unforgettable Victor Newman moments that illustrate Victor's genius, resilience, and amazing knack for invariably staying one step ahead.

Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.

1. Victor’s Shocking Move: Locking Up an Enemy

Victor Newman's ruthless ways would early on shine down on impeding Michael Scott in a clandestine cell lodged underneath the ranch. Control was not, of course, the only reason- this was rather a sign of how far Victor would go towards being in control of any situation. He had shown his sinister and calculated design against Michael by keeping him away for months. By this act, Victor sealed his reputation as a man of great power with great unpredictability in Genoa City. Many have crossed him throughout the years, however, very few have faced such extreme situations.

2. A Love Story for the Ages: Victor and Nikki’s Grand Wedding

Victor and Nikki Newman have become a mythic couple. Their first wedding back in 1984 ranked among the grandest weddings in Y&R history. With lavish surroundings, Nikki's fashionably famous dress, and a love that had audiences swaying, this was the soap opera wedding to end all soap opera weddings. Although their marriage would prove to be one of countless and angry ups and downs- including betrayals, divorces, and reconciliations- it is an event etched in the chronicles of The Young and the Restless.

3. Victor’s Fake Death and Triumphant Return

Victor has faked his death so many times, but one of the most outrageous was when he vanished, convincing the world in Genoa City that he was truly gone. Victor's return was a classic soap opera moment: dramatic, unexpected, and full of grand manipulations. Whether it is recovering Newman Enterprises or teaching his enemies a lesson, Victor always makes sure that his returns are against-the-odds affairs. Most recently, Victor turned the tables on Adam by pretending to be ill and almost dying, showing that even in his old age, Victor can still pull some strings.

4. A Rivalry Like No Other: Victor vs. Jack Abbott

Jack Abbott and Victor Newman have a rivalry that has taken its rightful place in the soap opera hall of fame. Their decades-long struggle over Newman Enterprises and Jabot has included hostile corporate takeovers, personal vendettas, and instances of downright physical altercation. Perhaps one of the most scandalous moments occurred in business, whereby Victor would use one of Jack's doppelgangers, Marco Annicelli, to replace him in an unscrupulous move. Short-lived truces between them have come to no avail as their contempt for one another always bubbles back to the surface.

5. Victor’s Tumultuous Romance with Ashley Abbott

Victor's heart has always belonged to Nikki, but his romance with Ashley Abbott was one of the most emotional stories on Y&R. Their love story was passionate and often caused heartaches, but nothing compared to Ashley's miscarriage. Victor showed his tender side when he was genuinely in love with her at that time, even though in the end, his controlling nature would drive them apart. Their marriages both failed, but the bond stays strong and surfaces whenever they meet. It is even hinted that Ashley's recent troubles at Jabot might rekindle things between her and Victor, proving that Victor is far from finished with Ashley.

6. Surviving the Unthinkable: Victor’s Heart Transplant

Victor's heart transplant stands out as one of the most shocking and heart-wrenching scenes of Y&R history. He ended up needing a heart after suffering a massive heart attack. His life was saved by the donated heart of Colleen Carlton. This storyline took on an even deeper heft, considering that the one good thing in the world for which Victor lived was because of the daughter of his archrival, Brad Carlton. It further solidified his near-impenetrable status and fueled the battle between Adam and Victoria for control of Newman Enterprises. Such transplant events still resonate in Victor's plotlines today.

7. The Billionaire Who Became a Farmer

It is rare to see Victor Newman on this side of the corporate world; he had lost his memory and lived the life of a simple farmer, and there, the audience saw an entirely different angle of him. In this surprising turn of events, Victor worked on the farm, blissfully unaware of his billionaire status, till his past returned to haunt him. His return to Genoa City and Newman Enterprises was sensational since he wasted no time getting back to business. Most recently, Victor has fooled his enemies again, pretending to be weaker than he really is, showing that he is always going to be ahead of them.

8. A Father-Son Battle for the Ages: Victor vs. Adam

Adam and Victor’s relationship has one of the most complicated father-son relationships ever portrayed in soap opera history. The father disowns the son, then manipulates situations to test Adam's loyalty, and the tension-filled interactions go on. Victor choosing to feign his own death was almost a finale for him and Adam, intended to test whether Adam would turn on him. More recently, Victor pretended to be mentally declining, just to watch how his children, including Adam, would react. But as much as Adam tries to distance himself from Victor's influence, the Newman patriarch has a way of always pulling him back.

9. Victor’s Unrelenting Grip on the Newman Family

Victor has been the puppet master of his family for many years, ensuring that no one can challenge him, not even his children. He always pits Nick and Victoria against one another for power over Newman Enterprises and uses his very health as a tool to monitor their loyalty. Victor's finger is always on the pulse. Most recently, he pretended to suffer from mental decline to show that he was still in total control. While his children may try to break free from him, Victor always finds a way to draw them back into his fold, making sure that he retains control over the Newman legacy.

10. Facing the Law: Victor’s Trial and Imprisonment

Victor Newman has always been able to outrun the law, but when he finally got to trial and prison, it was a wake-up call. His courtroom showdowns were full of drama, but his prison stint was brief, as he again managed to outsmart the system. Even decades later, Victor's skill at evading consequences is still one of his defining characteristics. In recent shows, Victor has demonstrated that he still has control over the legal system, with his foes never managing to bring him down. Regardless of the offense, Victor Newman always manages to triumph.