Suzanne Somers, the iconic actress best known for her roles in "Three's Company" and "Step by Step," passed away on Sunday morning, just a day shy of her 77th birthday. The news of her death was confirmed by her longtime publicist, R. Couri Hay, who shared a heartfelt statement on behalf of the actress' family.
The statement read, "Suzanne Somers passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of October 15th. She survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years."
Somers' battle with breast cancer was not her first encounter with the disease. She had previously been diagnosed with skin cancer in her 30s and faced breast cancer in her 50s. In July, Somers had revealed that her breast cancer had returned, marking another chapter in her long-standing fight against the disease. Speaking candidly about her diagnosis, she stated, "I have been living with cancer for decades now, using the best of alternative and conventional medicine to keep it at bay. Every time that little f----- pops up, I continue to bat it back."
Throughout her journey, Somers remained an advocate for a healthy lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of organic food and toxic-free products. "It's really hard for me to eat food that's not organic because I had cancer," she once shared. "So everything that I use needs to be toxic-free, including my haircare, skincare, makeup, and household cleaning products - there's not a single chemical in my house."
Her resilience and spirit were evident in her work and her personal life. Beyond her acting career, Somers was a New York Times best-selling author, having penned over 25 books. She was also an entrepreneur, known for her health and beauty business ventures, including the popular ThighMaster exercise equipment.
The actress' family was by her side during her final moments. The statement from her publicist further elaborated, "Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family. Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly."
Alan Hamel, Somers' husband of 46 years, had been a pillar of support throughout her health challenges. In a previous interview, he expressed admiration for his wife's determination, stating, "Even after our five decades together, I still marvel at Suzanne's amazing determination and commitment."
Somers' passing has left a void in the entertainment industry, but her legacy as an actress, author, entrepreneur, and fighter will continue to inspire many. A private family burial is set to take place this week, with a memorial to honor her life scheduled for next month.
