It’s with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to the incredible Suzanne Somers, who passed away peacefully at the age of 76. Just weeks before her passing, she opened up about her courageous battle with breast cancer—a fight she had been waging for over two decades. Known for her iconic role on Three’s Company, Somers was more than just an actress; she was a beacon of strength and resilience, inspiring millions with her story.
“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,” her longtime publicist, R. Couri Hay, shared in a heartfelt statement to Closer on Sunday, October 15.
“Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband, Alan, her son, Bruce, and her immediate family,” the statement continued. “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.” Her legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched and the inspiration she provided to so many.
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Her First Battle With Breast Cancer: A Journey of Strength
In the early 2000s, when Suzanne Somers was in her early 50s, she received the life-changing news that no one ever wants to hear: she had breast cancer. It was a moment that would define her life in ways she never imagined. “I never thought I’d ever hear someone say to me, ‘You have breast cancer,’” she said during an interview with Larry King back in 2002. It was a shock that left her reeling, but it also ignited a fire within her to fight.
After undergoing a lumpectomy and radiation, Somers made a bold decision. Instead of following the traditional path of chemotherapy, she chose to explore alternative medicine. “My cancer has become a veiled gift,” she reflected in 2018. “When confronted with the standard treatment protocol for cancer—radiation, chemotherapy, and after-care drugs—I looked at the doctor and said, ‘I can’t do this.’ And he said, ‘But you’ll die.’ And I replied, ‘I honestly believe I will die if I do what you tell me. The idea of flooding my body with chemical poison just doesn’t align with who I am.’”
Somers took her health into her own hands, making significant changes to her lifestyle and diet. “I eat buttercream, sour cream, cream cheese—all organic, no hormones. I sleep eight hours a night and I don’t take any drugs,” she explained after overcoming breast cancer the first time. “I am in optimal life. I don’t even worry about cancer. It’s never coming back.”
Before her breast cancer diagnosis, Somers had already faced health challenges earlier in life, including hyperplasia in her 20s and melanoma in her 30s. Each battle only strengthened her resolve and determination to live life to the fullest.
When the Cancer Returned: A Fighter’s Spirit
In a candid Instagram post on Monday, July 31, Somers revealed that her breast cancer had returned, forcing her to step away from work temporarily. “As you know, I had breast cancer two decades ago, and every now and then it pops up again, and I continue to bat it down,” she wrote. “I have used the best alternative and conventional treatments to combat it. This is not new territory for me. I know how to put on my battle gear, and I’m a fighter.”
The Dancing With the Stars alum expressed her gratitude for her husband, Alan Hamel, who stood by her side through every challenge. “I can’t even explain how much he has done for me,” Somers continued. “If it’s even possible, we are even closer than ever. My incredible family has been so supportive and has helped so much by keeping the business running so you can still have access to all the wonderful products.”
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Alan’s unwavering support was evident not only during Somers’ cancer battles but also after a devastating injury in 2020, when she fell at home. “I broke my whole right side—my neck, spine, hip, pelvis, and knee,” she told Closer in April 2023. “And it’s been over a year of pain and recovery. I’m not all the way back yet, but I’m going to be OK.”
