The character of Elena Gilbert had a number of intense and emotional adventures on The Vampire Diaries — but what turns did her life take after the season 8 finale? Played by Nina Dobrev, Elena began life as a normal human oblivious to a wider, supernatural world. Still grieving the death of her parents, the teenage girl had a not-so-chance encounter with Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley). She soon discovered that he was not only a vampire, but the one that had saved her from a car crash and with whom she was bound by an ancient doppelgänger curse. The two quickly formed a relationship and faced down a near-constant series of threats as the world was further expanded to include witches, werewolves, and much more.
Elena and Stefan's relationship took multiple turns throughout the course of The Vampire Diaries — as Stefan repeatedly gave in to his darker urges and Elena began to develop feelings for Stefan's unpredictable brother, Damon Salvatore. The love triangle came to a head when, at the end of season 3, Elena died and became a vampire. Despite initially choosing Stefan, she realized in season 4 that she was first sire-bound to, and then genuinely in love with, Damon. Their relationship then took central focus on the show across the remaining seasons — even after Dobrev departed the show after season 6. Dobrev would ultimately return to reprise her role as Elena for The Vampire Diaries season 8 finale, which saw various chapters come to a dramatic close. Sacrificing himself, Stefan facilitated Elena and Damon to be cured of their vampirism. As a result, both were given the opportunity to live normal, human lives together.
With The Vampire Diaries season 8 serving as the show's last, fans were only treated to a brief glimpse as to how that Elena's human life looked. Viewers of the spin-off series The Originals were treated to a further tease, however: in season 5, episode 12, "The Tale of Two Wolves." In the episode, Klaus and Elijah Mikaelson returned to Mystic Falls with Klaus's daughter, Hope. Though Elena herself doesn't make an appearance, the window of a doctor's office is seen emblazoned with the words "Elena Salvatore, M.D." Elena spent a good portion of The Vampire Diaries pursuing a career in the field of medicine. Though it was already established that she completed medical school, The Originals penultimate episode emphasized that, with her doctorate, she had followed in her late father's footsteps as the town's resident physician. Equally, it further confirmed the happy marriage she ultimately shared with Damon, choosing to even take his surname.
Another reference to developments in the life of Elena Gilbert came in the second Vampire Diaries spin-off, Legacies. In Legacies season 1, episode 10, "There's A World Where Your Dreams Came True," Lizzie is given a succession of wishes by a Jinn. As a result of each, a new timeline is created. In one such timeline, there is a mention of Stefanie Salvatore — the daughter of Elena and Damon named in honor of the late Stefan. Though Lizzie ultimately restores the initial timeline, there is plenty of reason to believe that Stefanie still exists. After all, Lizzie's wishes are largely unconnected to Damon and Elena. As such, though the butterfly effect was often substantial, it wouldn't have extended to whether the pair had children. Besides, even if Stefanie was, in fact, a product of the alternate timeline, her arrival is still bound to come fruition one day. Children were always something Elena wanted — and the inability to conceive was something she most lamented about becoming a vampire. Therefore, it's an inevitable outcome of her long (human) life with Damon.
Whether or not Stefanie will ultimately make an appearance in Legacies has been the subject of much speculation. It would certainly allow the opportunity for more insights into what became of Elena — and maybe even an actual appearance from the character. However, as the child of two humans, there is (currently) little reason for the resultant (albeit namesake) human child to attend the Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted. Still, whatever ends up happening in the future, fans can content themselves with the fact that, following The Vampire Diaries, Elena Gilbert's life was happy and fulfilled.