Suzanne Somers Dies At 76

Actor Suzanne Somers has died. She was 76.

Somers’ death occurred early in the morning on Oct. 15, when she was “peacefully aft home,” her publicist R. Couri Hay shared on behalf of her family in a statement to NBC News. Somers was one day away from turning 77 when she died.

Somers’ cause of death was breast cancer, her daughter-in-law, Caroline Somers, told the New York Times. The statement to NBC noted that 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,” the statement continued.

The statement added that her family was gathered to celebrate Somers’ 77th birthday on Oct. 16 and will now celebrate “her extraordinary life.”

The family thanked fans and followers for their love.

TODAY co-anchor Hoda Kotb and TODAY co-host Jenna Bush Hager honored her memory during TODAY with Hoda and Jenna on Oct. 16.

“She was a life force, and I think there was something about her, just her essence,” Hoda said. “You know when someone walks in a room, you feel them? She was always full of positivity. She used to say anyone who woke up in my presence was going to be around someone positive, and that’s what she really was.”

Jenna recalled visiting Somers and her husband, Alan Hamel, at her home a couple of years ago. “It was so much fun because in some ways, and this is crazy, hey felt like the really young people,” she said. “She was cracking me up, talking about sex and how loved she was.”

“She was one of those people who made you see all the possibilities,” Hoda added.

Other celebrities, from Patti LaBelle to Donny Osmond, also expressed their condolences. Osmond shared a clip of himself singing with Somers. LaBelle called her “one of the sweetest people I’ve ever had the chance to meet!”

“Heaven has another funny angel to keep them entertained! Thanks for being a pioneer & all the laughs,” actor Melissa Joan Hart wrote, urging her followers to get screened for breast cancer.

Actor Nia Long added: “There will never be another @SuzanneSomers I grew up watching her funny. Forever missed.”

A private family burial will take place this week and a memorial is set for next month, the family noted.

In July, the “Three’s Company” actor opened up on Instagram about her breast cancer, revealing that she was once again cancer free.

“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 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.”

Somers posted a blissful photo with her husband and wrote about her family’s support along her health journey.

“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 said. “My incredible family has been so supportive, and have helped so much by keeping the business running so you can still have access to all the wonderful products.”

At the time, Somers reflected on finding “bliss” in each day despite the recurrence of breast cancer in a statement to NBC News.

“As one of millions of cancer patients, we do our best not to let this insidious disease control us. I find bliss in each day,” Somers said. “It’s a recurrence of my breast cancer. Like any cancer patient, when you get that’s dreaded, ‘It’s back’ you get a pit in your stomach. Then I put on my battle gear and go to war. This is familiar battleground for me and I’m very tough.”

A representative for Somers told NBC News in a separate statement that the actor had other unspecified health issues when she learned that her cancer had returned but confirmed she was free from cancer at the time.

Prior to her breast cancer, Somers also was treated for a malignant melanoma, as well as hyperplasia in her uterus, which can be pre-cancerous. She told CBS News in 2020 that she was treated for cancer three times while she was on “Three’s Company.” In 2020, she also underwent multiple surgeries for her hip and neck.