Suzanne Somers told in one of her final interviews how she “batted back” her cancer every time the “little f***** pops up”.
The late ‘Three’s Company’ actress died early on Sunday (15.10.23) after a marathon fight with the disease aged 76, and said in July she had learned how to live with the illness for nearly half a century by refusing to let it control her life every time it reoccurred.
She told Entertainment Tonight in a chat in July that has resurfaced since her passing: “I have been living with cancer since my 20s. And every time that little f***** pops up, I continue to bat it back.
“I do my best not to let this insidious disease control me.”
Suzanne was first diagnosed with breast cancer in her 50s after previously battling skin cancer and overcoming two hyperplasia – abnormal cell growth that can be a sign of cancers.
Along with her acting, which included a role in ‘American Graffiti’. Suzanne’s legacy includes two autobiographies, four diet books and a book of poetry.
The actress added to Entertainment Tonight she thought her cancer fight had brought her and her husband and Alan Hamel “even closer.”
He said on Monday (16.10.23) in an all-caps Instagram tribute to his late wife he adored her so much words could not define his love for the star.
The devastated 87-year-old, who married Suzanne in 1977, said in his emotional tribute, which he posted alongside a series of photographs of him with Suzanne: “LOVE … THERE IS NO VERSION OF THE WORD LOVE THAT IS APPLICABLE TO SUZANNE. THE CLOSEST VERSION IN WORDS ISN’T EVEN CLOSE.
“IT’S NOT EVEN A FRACTION OF A FRACTION OF A FRACTION.
”UNCONDITIONAL LOVE DOES NOT DO IT. I’LL TAKE A BULLET FOR YOU DOESN’T DO IT.”
The producer also wrote he “WEEPS” when he thinks about his deep “FEELINGS” for Suzanne, and added the word “FEELINGS” doesn’t start to define his emotions for his late wife.
He added: “55 YEARS TOGETHER, 46 MARRIED AND NOT EVEN ONE HOUR APART FOR 42 OF THOSE YEARS. EVEN THAT DOESN’T DO IT.
“EVEN GOING TO BED AT 6 O’CLOCK AND HOLDING HANDS WHILE WE SLEEP DOESN’T DO IT.
“STARING AT YOUR BEAUTIFUL FACE WHILE YOU SLEEP DOESN’T DO IT.”
Alan also said there are “NO WORDS,” “ACTIONS,” “PROMISES” or “DECLARATIONS” that would be enough to sum up his love for the ‘Three’s Company’ star.
He finished his message by writing: “WE ARE ONE. I AM IN LOVE WITH YOU, MY BEAUTIFUL SUZANNE, FOR ALL OF ETERNITY.”
Suzanne’s death was announced by her publicist on Sunday by her publicist R Couri Hay, who said in a statement: “Suzanne Somers passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of Oct. 15. 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.”
Along with Alan, she is survived by her son Bruce Jr, stepchildren Stephen and Leslie as well as six grandchildren.
