For decades, Suzanne Somers was a staple of American pop culture—a blonde bombshell with a business brain, a fitness mogul, and a resilient survivor. When news of her passing broke on October 15, 2023, fans across generations felt the loss of a woman who seemed to have mastered the art of “aging backward.”
But how did the Three’s Company star pass away, and what was the journey that led to her final days?
The Cause of Death
Suzanne Somers passed away peacefully at her home in Palm Springs, California, just one day shy of her 77th birthday.
According to her official death certificate, the primary cause was breast cancer that had metastasized to the brain. The report also noted underlying conditions, including hypertension (high blood pressure) and hydrocephalus (a buildup of fluid in the brain).
A 50-Year Battle
To understand Suzanne’s passing, one must look at her long history with the disease. Suzanne was a “cancer warrior” in the truest sense:
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In her 30s: She survived skin cancer.
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In her 50s: She was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in 2000.
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The Final Stretch: In July 2023, Suzanne revealed to her Instagram followers that her breast cancer had returned.
Despite the diagnosis, she remained famously optimistic, credited her “organic, chemical-free lifestyle” for helping her beat the odds for two decades.
More Than Just a “Dumb Blonde”
Suzanne’s death marked the end of an era for Hollywood. She wasn’t just Chrissy Snow; she was a pioneer for women in the industry:
| Role | Impact |
| TV Icon | Made Three’s Company a hit and fought for equal pay (which famously got her fired). |
| Fitness Mogul | Turned the ThighMaster into a multi-million dollar empire. |
| Author | Wrote over 25 books on aging, nutrition, and bioidentical hormones. |
Her Final Moments
Suzanne passed away surrounded by her “loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family,” according to a statement from her longtime publicist. Her husband of 46 years, Alan Hamel, had reportedly written her a beautiful love letter just a day before she died—a final tribute to one of Hollywood’s most enduring marriages.
The Takeaway
Suzanne Somers spent her life teaching people how to live vibrantly. While her battle with cancer eventually came to an end, her influence on health, fitness, and the empowerment of aging women remains more alive than ever.
She proved that you could be a “Three’s Company” sweetheart and a “ThighMaster” CEO all at once—with a smile that never faded.