In 1980, the mysterious businessman made his home in Genoa City, with his wife Julia. Later, when he found out that she was having an affair with Michael Scott, Victor held him hostage in a dungeon. Eventually, Michael escaped his captivity, but it showed just how ruthless Victor could be.

1981 was the year that Victor laid eyes on the love of his life, Nikki Reed, who was stripping at a club called The Bayou. They would marry and divorce several times but always seem to find their way back to each other.

Victor met his longtime nemesis Jack Abbott in 1982, and has locked horns with him personally and professionally ever since.

Victor saved Nikki from a certain death when crazy Rick Daros planned to kill her in a scuba diving accident in 1984. Victor teamed up with Andy Richards and Paul Williams to rescue Reed, but not before nearly being killed himself by a spear.

1986 was the year that Victor developed a deep love and respect for Ashley Abbott, sending Nikki straight into the arms of his enemy, Jack Abbott. Both women would always hold a place in his heart.

"Ruthless: The Story of Victor Newman" written by the notorious journalist Leanna Randolph aka Leanna Love in a scheme forged by Jack, was released in 1988, detailing his tragic love affair with Ashley. The torrid tale sent Victor into a rage. He vowed revenge, buying out all of Jabot's stock, which began the bitter power struggle between Victor and Jack.

In 1992, Victor and Jack would briefly put aside their differences to help Nikki beat her addiction to prescription drugs and alcohol.

Feeling shut out by the three most important women in his life-- Ashley, Nikki and his daughter Victoria, Victor took off to parts unknown in 1993. After a mugging and a fiery crash, he was thought to be dead. Victor took advantage of the situation and ended up at a farmhouse in Kansas, where he met with another important woman in his life-- Hope Adams. He returned to Genoa City in a big reveal at the Colonnade, shocking everyone.

In 1996, a shot rang out in Genoa City and tore through Victor's body as he was speaking to Christine Williams. Brad Carlton, Jill Abbott and Mari Jo Mason were the prime suspects. Mari Jo would prove to be the culprit. She was trying to prevent her underhanded schemes from coming to light.

Ashley Abbott and Diane Jenkins underwent fertility treatments in 2000. Diane thought she was pregnant with Victor's sperm, but would find out later that Nikki switched samples and Jack was the father of her child. Two years later, when Ashley was battling breast cancer, she confessed on video that Victor was her daughter Abby's father .

2002 found Victor reflecting on his life choices. He went on a soul-searching journey, contacting all of his former wives and lovers in hopes of making his next marriage last. He married Nikki once again.

Nicholas and Sharon Newman lost their daughter Cassie due to a car crash and an infection in 2005, sending the entire Newman family on a very emotional journey of loss, love and forgiveness.

In 2008, Victor met and married Victoria's best friend Sabrina, causing a rift between father and daughter. The May/December romance had an unhappy ending when Sabrina died from complications from an auto crash that was meant as a hit on Nikki's new husband David Chow. Victor was consumed by grief, distancing himself from all his loved ones. Nikki was so concerned that she contacted her on-again, off-again rival Ashley to follow him to Paris and help mend his broken heart. Recently, they split up when Ashley couldn't take all of his secrets and lies.

After slipping out of town with Nikki to recuperate from a heart transplant, Victor has returned to Genoa City to take back Newman Enterprises and rally the Newmans against Tucker McCall. Adam, Hope and Victor's son, seems to be helping his father for the moment but what will happen when all his dirty little secrets come to light? Stay tuned…

Congratulations, Eric Braeden! Thank you for 30 years of unveiling one of the most complicated characters on daytime television.