General Hospital: Sonny’s five most impactful love stories

Maurice Benard’s Sonny Corinthos is a pillar of General Hospital. Over the years, the character has changed from a mysterious, strip-club-owning villain to a benevolent, lovable mob boss in Port Charles. During his long journey, Sonny has had a fair share of romances, including one-night stands and arranged match-makings.

Some of Sonny's romantic relationships led to lifelong friendships, including Carly and Alexis. These women added to Sonny's life by providing him with children, and they are the romances he continues to cherish.

General Hospital: 5 best romances in Sonny’s life

1) Brenda Barrett

General Hospital's Brenda and Sonny | Image: JPI

Sonny fell in love with Brenda in the early 90s and pined for the model through his other relationships. Considered a supercouple at the time, their pairing displayed great passion and chemistry. Sonny and Brenda's relationship navigated tough situations and opposing romantic intetersts, making their love memorable. Brenda Barrett was one of the few women who Sonny gave his heart to.

He continued to love her despite other relationships and a marriage with Lily. While her brief return to the General Hospital plot in 2013 failed to reunite them, Brenda remained the first real love in Sonny's life. However, when she asked him to join her in Europe, Sonny refused to leave Port Charles, claiming to need time to heal, despite adoring her.

2) Carly Spencer

General Hospital's Carly with Sonny I Image: ABC

Sonny shares more than passion and romance with Carly. While their early relationship, played by Sarah Brown and later Tamara Braun, started with great onscreen chemistry, it evolved into a deeper friendship. Added to that was Sonny’s acceptance of Michael as his son. After Laura Wright stepped into Carly’s role, the Carly-Sonny relationship turned more adult.

While Carly continues to have love interests with leading men on General Hospital, including Jack Brennan, she jumps into the family role for Sonny when he needs her. One recent example is when Sonny underwent heart surgery; Carly planted herself at his hospital. Carly’s continual dedication makes her an important influence in Sonny's life and his inner circle of trusted friends.

3) Olivia Falconeri

General Hospital's Olivia had a teenage romance with Sonny I Image: ABC

General Hospital fans often refer to the Sonny-Olivia romance as a “what if.” Their brief fling as High School students in Bensonhurst ended in a pregnancy with Dante. Although Dante's existence was revealed to Sonny much later, there wasn't much bad blood between Sonny and Olivia.

After Olivia, played by Lisa LoCicero, fully settled in Port Charles, she moved on with Ned, while Sonny entertained other romances, like one with Olivia's cousin Connie. However, their friendship has remained intact. She was one of the few who knew Sonny before he became a mobster. Following their brief teenage romance, Sonny has continued to share a comfortable relationship with her, as she helps him bring out his gentle side.

4) Nina Reeves

General Hospital's Nina romanced an amnesiac Sonny I Image: ABC

While a debatable romance, this pairing must be mentioned. The relationship began under dubious means because it was based on lies. It was at a time when Sonny had amnesia, and Cynthia Watros's Nina remained quiet about his existence as "Mike". Meanwhile, having no connection with his mobster self, “Mike” found real love and true happiness for some time.

Despite being furious about Nina's lies, Sonny still married her. Those few weeks of carefree romance with Nina were Sonny's contented times. If not for Nina reporting Carly to the SEC, the couple may have enjoyed a longer marriage on General Hospital. While they will never get back together, he will continue to help her if she turns to him.

5) Alexis Davis

Sonny and Alexis had a brief passion on General Hospital I Image: ABC

Here is a romance that would have looked right at home in a romantic novel. A mobster and a lawyer make an unlikely pair. However, the one-night passion shared by these enemies-turned-lovers excited General Hospital fans. While their fights and banters make for an interesting watch, it was their brief fling, which culminated in Kristina’s conception, that sealed their connection.

While Nancy Lee Grahn’s Alexis and Maurice Benard’s Sonny never got back together, they currently share a civil relationship as Kristina’s biological parents. They have a level of trust and respect for each other that makes this romance one that Sonny would cherish.

While the romantic-at-heart Sonny displayed undying love at one point, some of his brief flings resulted in progeny who remain staples of General Hospital today. As Kristina, Donna, and Avery make their mark in Port Charles, Sonny will continue to have relationships with their mothers.