Back in early February, Susan Lucci lit up the room with her radiant smile at the American Heart Association’s gala in New York City. It's an event she has been wholeheartedly supporting ever since her own life was saved by emergency surgery to clear unexpected blockages in her heart. “I realized just how lucky I was to have been given a second chance. It became a mission for me to share what I've learned and, hopefully, save even one other woman’s life,” Susan confided to Closer.
A Year Like No Other
This year, Susan's involvement in this life-affirming cause carries a deeper meaning than ever before. Last March, the world lost a beloved figure when Susan's husband of 53 years, Helmut Huber, passed away suddenly from a stroke. “Getting involved with helping others has been a lifeline for me. It’s helped me step outside my own grief and focus on making a difference for someone else,” Susan, now 76, shared. “Losing Helmut still feels so fresh and surreal. He was such a vibrant, larger-than-life presence. His intelligence and strength were unmatched. I miss him every single day.”
Grieving and Rediscovering Purpose
In the immediate aftermath of Helmut’s passing, Susan found herself struggling to find joy in the things that once brought her immense happiness — like acting. “Honestly, when Helmut passed, I couldn’t even remember what I loved about my work. Nothing else seemed to matter,” Susan reflected. “I started canceling commitments — something I’ve never done before. I thought to myself, maybe I’d never step on a stage or a set again.”
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But gradually, getting out of the house and reconnecting with friends helped her regain her footing. “My friends have been incredible. They’ve kept me busy and filled my days with laughter, which is exactly who they are,” Susan said.
Turning Pain into Purpose
During a lunch with a friend who works in fine jewelry, Susan came up with an idea to create a pendant that would not only raise funds for the American Heart Association’s “Life is Why” campaign but also shine a brighter light on women’s heart health. “Collaborating with the jewelry brand Tiary, we designed the ‘Empower Your Heart’ pendant. It’s meant to serve as a tangible reminder to listen to your body and take your health seriously,” Susan explained.
Susan stressed the importance of recognizing symptoms like shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, and discomfort in the upper back or belly. “Heart disease claims more women's lives each year than all forms of cancer combined. As women, we tend to brush off symptoms, thinking they’re not serious. That’s a dangerous mindset,” she warned.
Even Susan herself didn’t expect to face such challenges. Despite maintaining a healthy diet and daily exercise routine, she's undergone two surgeries to address heart blockages. “It’s all about family history. My dad’s DNA is part of me,” Susan explained, urging other women to take proactive steps in managing their heart health. “Know your blood pressure numbers. Understand your family history and share it with your doctor. And don’t hesitate to seek medical advice when needed.”
Rediscovering Passion and Gratitude
While life will never be the same without Helmut, Susan is slowly rediscovering the passions that define her. “Retirement isn’t even in my vocabulary. I’ve got some exciting projects in the works, and I’m diving into new scripts,” Susan revealed, adding that she hopes to travel more this year. “I find solace in gratitude. I’m thankful for the time I had with Helmut and the love he brought into my life. I felt like half a person after losing him, but I’m working on becoming whole again. It’s a journey, and I’m embracing every step of it.”
