7 Times Stefano DiMera proved that he is the most unkillable villain in Days of Our Lives

Days of Our Lives's Stefano DiMera never stayed dead for long. Villains come and go, but none of them lasted like him. For more than thirty years, he kept turning up after every supposed death. Whether he was shot or burned or blown up, it never stuck. He built his empire in Salem by making sure nobody could ever take him down permanently. Every time someone thought they had finished him off, he found another way back.

People called him The Phoenix because every time he fell, he rose again. His enemies tried everything to stop him, but nothing worked. Even when his health declined, he still had a backup plan in place. He didn’t just survive; he outsmarted everyone.

Even after Joseph Mascolo passed away, the character never really left. His portrait still watches over the DiMera mansion. His family still talks to it like he is standing right there. Every now and then, someone claims to have seen him alive. Somehow, he remains part of the story.

If you need proof that Stefano DiMera is the most unkillable villain in soap history, these seven moments make it clear. Death never meant much when Stefano was involved.

Stefano DiMera proving that he is the most unkillable villain in Days of Our Lives

1. Marlena Shoots Stefano Above the Ice Rink (1985)

Marlena finally cornered Stefano above an ice rink after years of manipulation. Stefano, smug as always, had kidnapped her twins and planned to escape once again. She pulled the trigger, hitting Stefano right in the stomach. He fell backward into flames started by oily rags below. The entire rink went up in flames, and Marlena barely escaped.

Afterward, a burned body was recovered, and Salem quickly accepted it as Stefano. They mourned briefly, thinking the threat was gone. But later, Stefano returned alive, proving even flames and bullets couldn’t finish him. This moment set the stage for Stefano’s infamous reputation. Marlena's desperation, Stefano's arrogant confidence, and the dramatic visuals of him tumbling into a roaring fire made it unforgettable.

From then on, whenever Stefano appeared to die, Salem residents learned never to trust it fully—marking Stefano forever as an iconic soap opera villain who always returned.

2. Stefano Survives Fiery Crash and Drowning (1994)

1994 saw Stefano survive two different apparent deaths within months. First, during a high-speed chase with John Black, Stefano’s vehicle exploded violently. Everyone was certain no one could survive it. Still, Stefano resurfaced weeks later without even a scratch. Soon after, he supposedly drowned near Maison Blanche, his mansion outside Salem.

The water was thoroughly searched, and, again, Salem mourned a short-lived relief. Yet, Stefano reappeared, shocking everyone. The Salem PD learned harshly that explosions and drownings meant nothing when it came to Stefano. It confirmed his invincible reputation, cementing Salem’s belief that no violent event was final for him.

Both events intensified Stefano's rivalry with John Black, fueling years of distrust and paranoia throughout Salem. The repetition of his impossible returns defined Stefano as someone beyond human constraints. It forced Salem to confront a terrifying truth: Stefano DiMera would always find his way back, no matter what.

3. Plane Explosion and Tunnel Collapse (1996)

In 1996, Stefano was supposedly killed twice in dramatic ways, both easily fatal for anyone else. Initially, his plane exploded midair, scattering wreckage and making survival impossible. Salem briefly believed Stefano had finally met his end. Shortly after, Stefano was again presumed dead when a tunnel collapsed on him, burying him under tons of rubble.

Rescue was impossible, and Salem again tried to celebrate his final defeat. Yet Stefano returned shortly after each event without explanation, casually stepping back into Salem like nothing happened. These quick, successive returns profoundly impacted Salem's psyche, creating paranoia and fear. Stefano mocked death openly, and Salem citizens could no longer trust any death concerning him.

This firmly established Stefano's lasting, iconic presence in Salem as an unstoppable villain. Each return highlighted his supernatural resilience, intimidating even his strongest enemies and causing them to wonder what—or who—Stefano DiMera really was.

4. Stefano's Fake Death by Impostor Paolo (2012)

In 2012, Stefano was shot at home, leading Salem to celebrate prematurely. His enemies felt relief, thinking he finally paid for his endless schemes. But Ian McAllister secretly orchestrated the entire event using a body double named Paolo. Ian wanted revenge against EJ, Stefano's son, and framed him for the murder.

When Stefano resurfaced alive, his reappearance destroyed Ian's plan and sent shockwaves through Salem. EJ was cleared but deeply shaken by being framed. The fake death proved Stefano’s cunning and influence went beyond ordinary villains, showcasing his ability to manipulate even from afar. Salem citizens realized Stefano's reach had no limits and his planning was meticulous.

The impostor plot highlighted how dangerous Stefano remained, instilling permanent fear and paranoia. Stefano once again stood untouchable, reaffirming his role as Salem’s most dangerous man who could orchestrate entire conspiracies without even being present, cementing his legendary status in Salem's twisted history.

5. Stefano Shot by Hope Brady (2016) – The Ambiguous Aftermath

Hope Brady finally confronted Stefano at the DiMera mansion in 2016, blaming him for the kidnapping and death of her beloved husband, Bo Brady. Hope shot Stefano three times, leaving his lifeless body slumped in his wheelchair. She and Rafe Hernandez buried him hastily in an abandoned building. Salem briefly celebrated, believing Stefano’s terror had ended.

But later, the body vanished. Photographs from Prague surfaced months later showing a man resembling Stefano. Salem erupted in panic and confusion, only to discover it was Shane Donovan disguised as Stefano to help Hope legally. But another photo later appeared unexplained, leaving Salem uncertain whether Stefano still lived.

This lingering ambiguity deeply traumatized Salem residents, forcing them to live under the constant threat Stefano could still be plotting revenge. This unresolved ending symbolized Stefano’s eternal hold over Salem, further solidifying his villainous legacy as the man who couldn’t definitively be killed.

6. Stefano Returns as “Stevano” in Steve’s Body (2019)

In 2019, Stefano’s consciousness was transferred by his loyal scientist, Dr. Rolf, into a microchip implanted into Steve Johnson. Steve, now "Stevano," began systematically reclaiming Stefano’s empire. His obsession with Marlena Evans resurfaced, and he nearly succeeded in brainwashing her using another microchip. "Stevano" manipulated Stefano’s children, attempting to regain power through Chad and Kristen.

Salem citizens lived in terror as Steve, a respected hero, turned villainous and dangerous. Ultimately, Salem residents managed to stop Stevano after intense struggles, surgically removing the microchip in 2020. Stefano’s consciousness was destroyed, but the incident profoundly affected Salem, especially Marlena, who faced her greatest tormentor yet again.

This unique resurrection demonstrated Stefano's terrifying ability to persist beyond physical death through advanced technology and careful planning. The concept of Stefano transcending mortality further elevated him beyond other soap villains, reinforcing his legacy as Salem’s most impossible-to-kill enemy whose menace survived even bodily death.

7. Stefano’s Haunting Legacy Still Alive in Salem (2021–)

Years after his final confirmed death, Stefano’s presence continues to influence Salem profoundly. His iconic portrait remains displayed prominently in the DiMera mansion, a constant reminder of his lasting dominance. Characters regularly talk to the portrait, convinced Stefano can hear or answer.

Kristen DiMera claimed to see Stefano alive, creating doubt among Salemites again. Even The Devil, possessing Johnny DiMera, openly respected Stefano’s ruthless power, acknowledging his unique evil. Stefano's infamous Phoenix ring continues to shift hands among family members, symbolizing his undying influence and inspiring fear or admiration.

Stefano’s lasting psychological impact shapes current Salem storylines, driving paranoia, mistrust, and power struggles within the DiMera family and beyond. Stefano’s enduring mystique and symbolic presence keep Salem constantly questioning his status, demonstrating his unmatched villainy.

His legacy established him permanently as Salem’s most notorious figure—an immortal threat always lingering in the shadows, eternally capable of somehow rising again.