An inspired Halep took ruthless advantage of an error-strewn display by seven-times champion Williams to win 6-2 6-2 and become Romania's first Wimbledon singles champion.
"When I was 10, 12 years old, she said I had to play the final of Wimbledon". Finally then, Halep cracked a smile, and she fell to her knees on Centre Court.
The 56-minute dissection of the Williams playbook was the 23-time Grand Slam winner's most lopsided loss in a major final.
"I was motivated after I won the first one in French Open that there is another chance for one more", said Halep.
"In my 20s I was always expected to win but. seems like every Grand Slam final I'm in recently has been an unbelievable effort to get there", said the former world number one, who had played only five tournaments this year before her run at the All England Club.
"He came to support me and I have no words to thank you and because of you I have learnt how to be a better person on court".
"I have learned that it's a normal match - not thinking that much about the trophy, just going there and trying to be the best you can", she added.
"It was my mum's dream". That's why she told me back then that it's going to be awesome and the most handsome thing to play a final.
After the match, Williams said playing against Halep made her feel like a "deer in the headlights".
"She literally played out of her mind", a gracious Williams said after the match. It was okay that she had two changes of coach after Cahill left past year.
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"Today nothing really helped".
"She didn't say anything because she was crying", Halep said.
Cahill's public pep talk - which was broadcast on TV - after his petulant charge threw away a set against Johanna Konta left Halep feeling "ashamed" and sparked her dramatic career revival.
On this cloudy, cool afternoon, with the temperature in the low 70s (low 20s Celsius), Halep began with a pair of service breaks and even delivered the match's first ace, at 106 miles per hour, which put her out front 4-0 after 11 astonishing minutes.
The crowd was very much on her side on Saturday, with loud cheers every time she won a point, no matter how hard or contested.
On her ninth visit to the championships, Halep chalked off a life's ambition when she lifted the Venus Rosewater Dish on Saturday.
The Duchess of Cambridge was joined by all three of her young children on Wednesday.
"Well, I had nerves, my stomach wasn't well before". I should just focus on my fame.
That was a key aspect of this match-up, given that Halep came in having won 53 per cent of her opponents' service games during the fortnight, while Williams had 45 aces.
"I hugged her and I kissed her".
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