Tony's Timeline

1981: Tony first shows up in Salem during the activity of the Salem Strangler. He represents himself as the ex-husband of Liz Chandler. Tony assumes control of various business holdings of Dr. Stuart Whyland, including the Twilight Bar.

1982: Tony discovers that his divorce from Liz Chandler was never finalized. She takes up residence in the DiMera Mansion. There are unconfirmed reports that she is spying on Doug Williams for Stefano DiMera. Tony takes Renee Dumonde into hiding to protect her from the Salem Strangler. She later refuses his marriage proposal. Stefano DiMera confirms that she is his daughter, making Tony her half-brother. Tony is suspected of raping Liz Chandler and of arranging a bomb blast in Neil Curtis' hotel room, after he had a romantic liaison with Liz Chandler. He attempts to stop Renee Dumonde and David Banning's wedding. It is later discovered he and Renee are not really siblings. Anna Brady, Roman's ex-wife, goes to work as Tony's secretary.

1983: Stefano DiMera is pronounced dead of a massive stroke. Tony grants Liz Chandler a divorce. She is suspected of having tried to blackmail him using photos taken with Renee Dumonde. With Anna Brady, Tony travels to Las Vegas for a nightclub opening. They return to Salem husband and wife. It is suspected he was under the influence of some kind of illegal substance, possibly administered by Anna Brady, when the wedding took place. Stefano's will is read, and it stipulates that Tony and Renee must live together for the period of one year to receive their inheritance. Furthermore, Renee is required to remain married to David. An additional clause stipulated that the first to have a child would receive an additional $5 million. Tony discovers the circumstances of his wedding to Anna Brady and divorces her. Renee Dumonde is discovered murdered.

1984: Reports surface that Delia Abernathy, Tony DiMera's personal manager, is spying on him and reporting to someone known only as "Phoenix." Of course, this "Phoenix" is Stefano DiMera. Reports surface that Andre DiMera has been masquerading as his cousin Tony and is suspected of being the Salem Slasher. He wears a mask of Roman Brady when he kills. Anna Brady discovers the real Tony DiMera chained in his penthouse and is imprisoned there with him. They are eventually freed by the real Roman Brady. Tony survives a plane crash during a trip to a photo shoot on a tropical island. His mother Daphne dies on the island. Tony drowns Andre in quicksand (although it later appears that Andre survived this drowning).

1985: Tony remarries Anna Brady. He disappears off a fog-shrouded pier while trying to clear her of the murder of art dealer Claus Van Zandt.

1986: Tony divorces Anna Brady again, without returning to Salem.

1987-1993: Tony remains missing.

1993: Tony returns to Salem. He is set to wed Kristen Blake, Stefano's foster daughter, but she leaves him at the altar when she goes to help John Black find his kidnapped child. Tony flies an internationally renowned surgeon to Salem to operate on the ailing Tom Horton.

1994: Tony finally weds Kristen Blake after a car explodes shortly before the ceremony, apparently killing Stefano DiMera. He attends a charity cotillion sponsored by Kristen at Maison Blanche, a house that belonged to Stefano, in New Orleans, Louisiana. While there, Kristen learns Stefano is still alive, a fact Tony already knew. While inside the house trying to find information about John Black's past, Tony is blinded by an explosion. Tony is suspected of planning to kill John Black due to a rumored relationship with his wife, Kristen Blake. He regains his sight, but keeps this a secret for awhile.

1995: Tony renews his vows with Kristen Blake. John Black, who learned he is really a priest, unhappily officiates. Tony attempts to kill John Black. Tony is diagnosed with leukemia and decides to use this to his advantage. He apparently commits suicide and frames John Black for his murder.

2002: Tony returns to wreak havoc in Salem once again! He's there to reclaim his rightful place as the head of the DiMera family. Twins Rex and Cassie bring out his paternal side and his love for Marlena – their mother! A trip to an island reveals another familial connection – Tony and John Black share a mother, Daphne DiMera!

2003: Lucas goes to work for Tony, who is busy in a nefarious diamond smuggling operation. Tony forms an unholy alliance with John and Marlena to try to solve the mysteries of the past. It seems that Stefano is still alive – and plans to destroy everyone in Salem! The truth comes out about Rex and Cassie's parents – they are Roman and Kate!

2004: After Tony is arrested as the Salem Stalker, Mickey takes on the case. He is released for lack of evidence. Tony plans to reveal the true identity of the Salem Stalker at the Horton Circus, but before he can, he's attacked by a tiger! He makes it to the hospital, where the killer finishes him off – Marlena! Of course, none of the victims is really dead – they're all on an island replica of Salem. Tony denies responsibility. Stefano is behind it all – but when we see him, he's nothing but a desiccated corpse! When the island blows up (thanks, Tony), everyone escapes but Marlena, Roman, Caroline, Victor, Cassie and Jack. Tony recaptures them and whisks them away to a castle.

2005: Tony reveals that Georgia Brady is still alive – and living in Salem. To help her get revenge on all of her enemies, Tony helps Sami transform into "Stan." While "Stan," Sami does Tony's bidding in the war zone and is almost responsible for the deaths of Lucas, Brady, Shawn, Rex and Philip. Tony's prisoners escape their castle dungeon and make it back to Salem. Tony is finally forced to pay for all of his crimes. He goes to prison, but it's hard to keep a good DiMera down.