Inside the Somerhalder Family: the Untold Story of Ian Somerhalder and Robert Somerhalder
By James H. Sterling
The brothers grew up in Covington, Louisiana, a small town north of Lake Pontchartrain marked by pine flatwoods, bayous, and historic oak canopies. Their father, Robert Somerhalder Sr., was an independent building contractor whose work exposed both boys to construction sites, raw lumber, and the realities of physical labor. Their mother, Edna Somerhalder, worked as a massage therapist and placed heavy emphasis on holistic nutrition, natural medicine, and spiritual groundedness.
The household included three children: Robert Jr., Ian, and their sister Robyn Somerhalder. Money was frequently tight, and the family navigated a divorce when Ian was approximately 13 years old. That disruption forced the siblings to mature quickly. Robert, as the eldest brother, assumed an protective role, while Ian began taking commercial modeling assignments in New York, Paris, and Milan to support himself and help relieve household financial strains.
Despite Ian's early departure into international fashion circles, the family tree remained tightly connected to St. Tammany Parish. The bayou environment shaped how both boys perceived resources. Trees were not just scenery; they were building materials. Soil was not dirt; it produced what the family ate. Those early Covington habits never left either sibling.
James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.
