Delia Ryan is a fictional character from the original ABC daytime soap opera Ryan's Hope. Actress Ilene Kristen originated and last played the role, that was created and introduced by Claire Labine and Paul Avila Mayer and first appeared in the pilot episode first broadcast July 7, 1975. Delia is the catalyst for many of the show's story lines and remains a central component of the series throughout its run. Delia is the kind of character that viewers "love to hate". Delia has a habit of dealing with situations in ways that cause even more trouble. Delia is known for her early chaotic romances with brothers, Patrick and Frank. Delia eventually finds true love with Dr. Roger Coleridge. Delia is considered to be the breakout character of the series and remains one of the most iconic characters in daytime history. In 2013, Kristen would reprise the role of Delia on the sole surviving ABC drama, General Hospital where she is revealed to be the mother of the treacherous Ava Jerome (Maura West). Us Weekly ranked the character as the number-one villainess in soaps in 1977.