Three days after her birth, Darling's grandmother, Elouise Dixon, travelled to the hospital and took her home to Mount Laurel; to live with her.
Throughout Hill's childhood, her father occasionally visited her but she was yet to reunite with her mother, who lived in Newark.
Speaking out on her upbringing, Hill has stated, "although we didn't have money, we thought we were the richest people in the world!"
[10][11] Hill was selected represent the U.S. at the 2008 Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships in San Jose, California, from March 28–30; three weeks after her grandmother's death.
Initially sceptical to travel as she was still mourning the death of her grandmother, Darlene decided to compete at the event.
[12] Hill won the floor final with a score of 15.425; placing ahead of future Olympic Champion Nastia Liukin.
[13] Two months later, in May, Hill competed at the Friendship International Exchange Competition at the Karolyi Ranch in Huntsville, Texas.
[17] The final day of competition, June 22, saw Hill place sixteenth in the all-around and eighth on floor.
[22][23] It was Hill's goal to return to elite gymnastics for the 2009 season and beyond but she was forced into retirement because of her injuries.