In 1973, Suzanne Somers stumbled upon a life-changing moment when she met legendary talk show host Johnny Carson at the NBC commissary. She casually mentioned to him that she'd written a book of poetry, a conversation that unexpectedly led to her first appearance on The Tonight Show. "He started having me on every month. I would read him poems, and it became great shtick," Suzanne reminisced to Closer last February. This unexpected opportunity catapulted her into the limelight, setting the stage for a remarkable career.

From Poet to TV Icon

Those comedic appearances on The Tonight Show eventually helped Suzanne land her iconic role as the lovable yet scatterbrained Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company. But her journey wasn't without its challenges. After being let go from the series in season five for demanding a significant raise, Suzanne, who tragically passed away on October 15 at the age of 76 following a long battle with breast cancer, might have faded into obscurity. Instead, she transformed her personal battles and life experiences into a thriving wellness empire aimed at women. "My constituency is from 45 to 65," Suzanne explained. "We’re all kind of interested in the same things—how to feel better, look better, and live a fuller life."

The Struggles That Shaped Her

Despite her radiant beauty, Suzanne's childhood in California was far from idyllic. Growing up with an alcoholic father prone to violent outbursts, she faced numerous hardships early in life. She married and divorced at a young age and struggled to support her son, Bruce, born in 1965. "I was a single mother at 18, and we needed to eat," Suzanne candidly admitted. At one point, she was even arrested for passing a bad check. Show business became her escape from financial struggles. "It wasn’t that I wanted to act so badly," she confessed. "I wanted to make some decent money."

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Finding Fame on 'Three’s Company'

After a small role in the classic film American Graffiti and minor parts on TV series like The Rockford Files, Suzanne eagerly embraced the opportunity to star on Three’s Company. However, the role of a "dumb blonde" initially gave her pause. "When I was told to play a dumb blonde, I thought, ‘Oh my God. Everybody hates dumb blondes,’” she recalled. "‘How do I make her likable and lovable?’ And I did." Suzanne credited her seamless chemistry with co-stars Joyce DeWitt and John Ritter for the show's immense popularity. "Joyce is ultra-talented and worked so hard," Suzanne said. "And I loved working with John. It was like a tennis match, where I’d hit it across the net and then he would bang it back. A lot of the laughs we created weren’t even in the script."

The Price of Success

After several seasons of smashing ratings, Suzanne felt confident in demanding equal pay to John Ritter per episode. Unfortunately, this bold move backfired. Her husband, Alan Hamel, who had become Suzanne's manager, attended the contract negotiations. "I met him at the landing [when he returned home] and he looked me right in my eyes and he said, ‘You’re out,’” Suzanne recalled of her firing. "Laverne and Shirley had just renegotiated their contract, and [its stars] gave ABC a colonic. The network decided they’re not going to let girls think that they can get paid the same as men. Alan told me, ‘They were going to fire you the moment I walked in the office.’"

A New Chapter in Wellness

Suzanne ventured into other TV series after Three’s Company, but none would match its level of popularity—not even Step by Step, which aired for seven seasons from 1991 to 1998. Along the way, she starred in a one-woman Las Vegas act and made several made-for-TV movies. Suzanne finally struck gold when she became the pitchwoman for ThighMaster, a home fitness product, during the 1990s. "Alan said, ‘We’re never going to work for anyone else ever again,’” Suzanne recalled. "We sold 10 million ThighMasters, and I thought: This is good!"

A Wellness Empire Takes Shape

Building on that success, Suzanne created a wellness empire that included exercise videos, self-help books, and lines of nutritional supplements, haircare, and cosmetics aimed at middle-aged women. "It started with my books. I went into menopause quite early, and no one had ever mentioned the word. Before I started writing about it, it was like, ‘Ooh, don’t talk about that,’” Suzanne explained. "Fourteen of them are New York Times bestsellers," she proudly noted.

Facing Health Challenges Head-On

When Suzanne revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in 2000, she shared her journey with her loyal followers. While some of the alternative therapies she endorsed were criticized by the medical establishment as misinformation, Suzanne remained steadfast in her beliefs. "My work provides valuable medical information for anyone over 35," she explained. "I wasn’t trying to be a guru. I just loved helping people feel better." Last summer, Suzanne announced that her breast cancer had returned. "This is not new territory for me. I know how to put on my battle gear and I’m a fighter," she shared. Over the last year, Suzanne also struggled with mobility issues after suffering a fall and dealing with hydrocephalus, a buildup of cranial fluid.

Gratitude and Wisdom in Her Final Days

Despite the challenges she faced, Suzanne expressed gratitude for the beautiful balance she had achieved in life. "I’m grateful, I’m productive, and have acquired great wisdom. I have found the most beautiful balance amongst my husband, my children, six grandchildren, and my work," she said. "I have noticed something so interesting about the second half of life: It’s what you make of it. I believe everything that’s happened to me was supposed to happen. I think anything you want is in your grasp."