Children: Tad Martin (with Ray Gardner), Jenny Nelson (with Ray Gardner; deceased), Peter Cortlandt (with Palmer Cortlandt), Adrian Sword (with Frank Dawson)
Grandchildren: Jamie Martin
Significant Romantic Relationships: Ray Gardner (1st husband/divorced), Frank Dawson, Paul Martin, Langley Wallingford, Ralph Purdy (2nd husband/divorced), Sean Cudahay, Palmer Cortlandt (3rd husband/divorced), Stan Ulatowski (engaged), Hank Pelham

Opal came to town in 1981 with her daughter Jenny. Long divorced from abusive Ray Gardner, Opal discovered the whereabouts of her son Tad (who had been abandoned by Ray years earlier), which prompted her to come to Pine Valley-only to discover that he had already left town. Opal settled in town, determined to get Jenny in show business and make a fortune. She pushed Jenny towards a modeling career while making her waitress at a sleazy bar, Foxy's. After briefly dating Paul Martin, Opal took a job as a maid for Phoebe Wallingford, and quickly seduced Phoebe's husband Langley. Opal wanted Langley to leave Phoebe and marry her, but Langley refused. Upset, Opal started blackmailing him! Eventually Opal's focus turned towards her new beauty salon, the Glamorama. Soon Opal fell in love with handsome Ralph Purdy and accepted his marriage proposal. The two left for Europe where they were married.

Opal returned to Pine Valley in 1989 at the behest of Palmer Cortlandt, who wanted her help in breaking up his niece Dixie and her son Tad. Opal had divorced Ralph, and was happy to return to Pine Valley. She immediately warmed up to Palmer, declaring that she was going to be the next Mrs. Palmer Cortlandt. Palmer, however, was annoyed by her and paid Sean Cudahay to date her. Annoyed by Opal himself, Sean broke up with her and Opal took up with Palmer's former cellmate Stan, all the while sparring with Palmer. Eventually Palmer began to see Opal in a different light and the two fell in love. They were soon married.

Someone then began poisoning Palmer, who suspected Opal might be the culprit. The guilty party turned out to be Stan, jealous that Palmer had taken away Opal from him. Opal was so upset that Palmer suspected her that she separated from him. Daisy, Palmer's ex-wife, made it seem as if she was interested in Palmer, sparking Opal's jealousy. Opal realized she truly loved Palmer and they reunited. In late 1992 she gave birth to Peter ("Petey") Cortlandt, Palmer's son.

Due to some financial setbacks, Palmer lost control of Cortlandt Electronics. Opal suggested he open a fast food establishment, with her fried chicken recipe as the centerpiece. Palmer agreed and he and Opal opened the Cluck Cluck Chicken Shack, which became a huge success. Spawning a franchise, it gave Palmer enough money to get Cortlandt Electronics back.

When Opal found out that, after a fight with her, Palmer had slept with Janet Green, she was furious and left him. She allowed herself to be briefly courted by Dixie Martin's father, Seabone Hunkle, but eventually realized her heart belonged with her "love bug" Palmer.

Opal and Palmer took in gay teenager Kevin Sheffield. Opal cared for Kevin, but agreed with young Kelsey Jefferson that Kevin might be "confused" and should try a relationship with a woman. Opal realized that she was wrong in this belief soon after, and continued to welcome Kevin into her home.

In 1998 Opal discovered that Palmer was hiding stolen World War II artwork at Cortlandt Manor. Knowing that government agents Mike Roy and Adrian Sword were in town to find the paintings, Opal told Palmer to turn them over. Palmer refused and Opal told the authorities herself. A furious Palmer faked his own death and took the paintings. Opal was shocked when she discovered that Adrian Sword was really the son that she had given up long ago. During a temporary escape from the abusive Ray Gardner, Opal had begun an affair with African American Frank Dawson and bore his son, Adrian. When Ray found Opal, she knew that Ray would hurt Adrian if he discovered Opal had bore an interracial baby, so she left Adrian. This revelation did not help things with Palmer once he resurfaced, as he saw Opal as siding with her son over him. The strain on their marriage hit its breaking point and the two divorced. Adrian managed to get Palmer to sign over 51% of his assets to Opal, who tried to get Palmer ousted as CEO of Cortlandt Electronics. That plot failed, but Opal took over Cortlandt Manor and turned it into an updated version of the Glamorama. She also shortened her name, preferring to just go by "Opal."

Opal was suspicious of Palmer's new wife Vanessa, and took every opportunity she could to voice that. After Gillian Lavery was killed, Gillian's ghost inhabited Opal's body for a time to communicate with Ryan. Opal also briefly dated singer Hank Pelham, but he left Pine Valley to tour.

Opal remains a colorful presence in Pine Valley today, always ready to dispel her own homespun wisdom to her best girlfriend Erica or her children and grandchildren.