Suzanne Somers: An Extraordinary Life of Resilience and Impact

Suzanne Somers, a multifaceted actor and entrepreneur who won hearts and sparked conversations, has died at the age of 76, leaving an indelible mark on Hollywood and beyond. Known for her roles in TV classics such as Three's Company and Step by Step, Somers was more than just a star on screen; she was a powerful voice in alternative health, a successful businesswoman, and a true fighter who had battled breast cancer for over two decades.

A Life Celebrated, Even in Passing

The news of her passing arrived on the eve of what would have been her 77th birthday. Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family at the time of her death. Though originally gathered to celebrate her life, they now mourn her loss, a sentiment echoed by her millions of fans around the world.

Groundbreaker On and Off Screen

Somers started her Hollywood journey with a minor yet impactful role in George Lucas' 1973 film, American Graffiti, where she mouthed the words "I love you" from a white Thunderbird. However, it was her role as Chrissy Snow in Three's Company that catapulted her into stardom. Playing a “dumb blonde” might have seemed stereotypical, but Somers approached it with intellectual rigor. "Creating her was actually intellectual. How do I make her likable and loveable ... dumb blondes are annoying. I gave her a moral code. I imagined it was the childhood I would've liked to have had," she told CBS in 2020.

Suzanne was fired from Three's Company for daring to ask for a salary that matched her male co-stars, a move that was revolutionary at a time when the gender pay gap was a less-discussed issue. This episode highlighted her enduring commitment to justice and equality, one that she carried throughout her life.

The Business of Being Suzanne

But her impact went far beyond the screen. Suzanne leveraged her fame to launch a successful wellness-focused business career, becoming the spokeswoman for the leg-toning ThighMaster and authoring 27 books largely on natural health. Her approach to wellness, particularly her decision to forgo conventional chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer in favor of alternative remedies, was both courageous and controversial. It reflected her willingness to stand up for her beliefs, even when they went against the grain.

A Fighter till the End

In July, Somers publicly revealed that she had been privately dealing with recurrent bouts of cancer since her initial diagnosis in 2000. "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," Somers said in an Instagram post. "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."

Legacy that Lives On

Suzanne Somers wasn't just a star; she was a trailblazer, a wellness guru, and a fearless advocate for herself and others. A private family burial is set to take place this week, with a memorial to follow next month. As we look back on her extraordinary life, we find a woman who embodied resilience, who championed causes she believed in, and who leaves behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come.

As the world says goodbye to this phenomenal woman, we celebrate Suzanne Somers—a life truly well-lived.