From the very start, Michael Baldwin (Christian LeBlanc) and Lauren Fenmore’s (Tracey E. Bregman) relationship on Young and Restless has proven itself strong enough to overcome any obstacle. The two found themselves initially pulled together as they dealt with Michael’s troubled younger brother, Kevin Fisher. Having developed an unhealthy obsession with Lauren, Kevin was upset to find out that Michael had been dating her, but the siblings finally put their differences aside, and Kevin was ultimately happy that his brother had found happiness.
Michael popped the question on May 13, 2005, and he and Lauren tied the knot on December 9 of that year. Their union was immediately tested, but over the years, Michael and Lauren have shown that they have what it takes to go the distance. Just take a look at these examples from their dramatic history on Y&R:
One Wedding and a Funeral
Shortly after the couple was wed in 2005, Michael was horrified when their honeymoon yacht blew up with Lauren on board, and his new wife was presumed dead. But in reality, Tom Fisher had rescued Lauren from the explosion after realizing that his partner-in-crime, Sheila Carter, had planned to kill them both and frame him for the crime. Tom held the two women captive, and while Paul Williams managed to rescue Lauren, Sheila gave them the slip. Meanwhile, Tom was no longer a problem, as John Abbott had shot him dead! Michael was overjoyed to learn Lauren was alive, and they resumed married life, soon welcoming their son, Fenmore Baldwin.
A Familiar Face
In 2010, Lauren began acting erratically, and Michael immediately knew that something wasn’t right. It turned out that Sheila’s sister, Sarah Smythe, had undergone plastic surgery to look like Lauren so that she could kidnap her and take over her life as part of a twisted scheme to take revenge on her sister’s behalf! While rushing to the rescue, Michael knew instinctively which of the two Laurens standing before him was his beloved wife and urged her to let the police deal with the villain. But, knowing Sarah was clearly as deranged and dangerous as Sheila, Lauren ultimately shot and killed her.
Sleeping With the Enemy
When Fen was involved in bullying a fellow student in 2013, Michael and Lauren found themselves on opposite sides of the issue. This created a strain on their marriage, and Lauren moved out and took a room at the Athletic Club, where she had been casually flirting with bartender Carmine Basco (Marco Dapper). Though Lauren initially reminded him she was a married woman, they soon began having an affair. But when Michael suggested ending their marriage, Lauren realized her mistake and broke things off with Carmine to work on her relationship with her husband. Unfortunately, Carmine then became dangerously obsessed with Lauren and sought revenge on them both. When the psycho was shot dead, Michael took the blame to protect Fen, but later discovered that Carmine was very much alive and in Witness Protection.
One Battle After Another
In 2014, it was Lauren who suspected Michael of having an affair. But she soon learned that his lowered sex drive and constant evasiveness were not due to a lack of fidelity; rather, he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. She wanted to be by his side during his treatment, but Michael pushed her away and left her stunned and heartbroken when he even drew up divorce papers. Lauren had been spending time with Cane — who had gone through a similar experience with Lily’s cancer — and the two shared a kiss, but both agreed nothing else would happen. Michael urged his wife to find happiness with another man, but she insisted that he was the only man she loved. After some time apart, Michael and Lauren finally found their way back to each other and reconciled.
Job Insecurity
When Michael decided to quit practicing law and work privately for Victor Newman in 2022, Lauren was concerned that it could prove dangerous. Her fears were quickly realized when Michael was kidnapped in Peru while investigating Ashland Locke for his boss. Lauren and Michael rang in 2024 by renewing their vows, but she once again worried about her husband as he helped Victor deal with the psychotic Jordan Howard. When Ian Ward held Victor and some of his family at gunpoint in 2025, Michael refused to leave, and Lauren was later furious that he would risk his life for Victor. Later in the year, Michael continued to get mixed up in the battle between Victor and Cane Ashby, leaving Lauren frustrated and walking out on her husband. But given their history, they should soon be able to put things right… hopefully!
