LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNI: Suzanne Somers, the 76-year-old actress and writer, passed away on October 15, after battling with cancer for 23 years, reported PEOPLE.
The 'Three's Company' star was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. She had been very open about her health struggles over the years and has also faced several other forms of cancer throughout her life.
Somers is survived by her husband, Alan Hamel, and son, Bruce Somers Jr, who supported the actress every step of the way.
Between 1977 and 1984, Somers was treated thrice for cancer
In an interview with CBS News in 2020, Somers said, "Even when I was Chrissy on 'Three's Company', I had had cancer three times. They call it severe hyperplasia in your uterus. I didn't make a big deal about it." She also shared that she had malignant melanoma in her back in her 30s.
Suzanne Somers revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in April 2000
During an episode of Larry King Live in 2001, Somers said that she had been receiving treatment for breast cancer for a year. The cancer was discovered by her doctors during a routine mammogram, explained the actress.
She further shared that she planned to forgo chemotherapy and treat her cancer with alternative medicine.
In 2007, Suzanne Somers stated that she is 'free from cancer'
Somer told the Los Angeles Times that she was cancer-free after treatment with radiation, a lumpectomy, and alternative medicine.
She further credited her entrepreneurial drive to her breast cancer diagnosis, telling PEOPLE in 2019 that it served as a “wake-up call” that ultimately inspired her to start her beauty brand, Suzanne Organics.
“I would say one of the greatest gifts I had was getting cancer 20 years ago. And you don’t think that the day you hear the words, ‘You have cancer,’ but it was my wake-up call. What am I doing? What am I eating? What’s my lifestyle? What products am I using? I just thought, I’m going to win this my way, I’m going to change my life," she said.
Suzanne Somers was misdiagnosed with cancer in November 2008
Somers opened up about being misdiagnosed with full-body cancer in her book 'Knockout: Interviews with Doctors Who Are Curing Cancer and How to Prevent Getting It in the First Place'.
"For six days, six doctors confirmed I had inoperable cancer. I went into that valley of fear. I saw my death, it was horrible," she said at the time, according to CBS News.
Somers interviewed several doctors on alternative treatments to chemotherapy. A week later, she discovered that she had been misdiagnosed.
She later included that research in her book, which drew sharp criticism from the American Cancer Society.
Suzanne Somers announced that her breast cancer had returned in July 2023
Somers shared the news of her returning breast cancer on Instagram, writing, "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. 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."
Thanking her husband, family, and fans for their unwavering support, she continued, "Alan has been by my side every step of the way. I can’t even explain how much he has done for me. If it’s even possible, we are even closer than ever."
She then thanked her near and dear ones, saying, "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."
Addressing her fans, she expressed her gratitude, saying, "Thank you for the continued love and support. It’s only about who you love and who loves you — and I love you!"
Suzanne Somers dies in October 2023
Somers passed away the day before she would have turned 77, on October 15.
Speaking with PEOPLE, her husband Hamel revealed that Somers had just completed physical therapy, and praised the resilience she showed throughout her cancer journey.
“Suzanne and I just returned home from the Midwest where Suzanne had six weeks of intensive physical therapy,” he said.
“Even after our five decades together, I still marvel at Suzanne’s amazing determination and commitment,” he said.
R Couri Hay, Somers' longtime publicist, confirmed her death in a statement shared on behalf of the actress' family, which 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."
“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 they want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly."
