Suzanne Somers is a living testament to the truth that behind the sparkling smiles of Hollywood are often harsh stories and events that test both the will and the strength of human beings.
A scarred childhood
Born in 1946 in San Bruno, California, Suzanne Somers grew up in a working-class family. Her father was a heavy drinker who often abused his wife and children. Suzanne once said that her childhood was filled with fear and shame, as she trembled every night listening to her drunken father yelling and smashing things.
It was this violent atmosphere that made her withdrawn, always feeling that she was not good enough and longing for recognition. But it also sowed the seeds of a strong will later on.
“I grew up believing that I was worthless,” she wrote in her memoir. “But gradually, I learned that I could rewrite my own story.”
The tragedy of youth and the responsibility of being single
As a young woman, Suzanne experienced a major change: she became pregnant unexpectedly and got married in haste at the age of 19. The marriage ended quickly after three years, leaving Suzanne to raise her son Bruce alone.
During this time, she worked many jobs – from secretary, advertising model, to taxi driver – to earn a living and raise her child.
Although it was difficult, this was the period when she trained her determination not to give up. She began to try her hand at acting, participating in hundreds of castings, persistently pursuing her dream of changing her life.
Rising to stardom and the shock of being eliminated from Three’s Company
In 1977, Suzanne Somers officially changed her life when she was chosen to play Chrissy Snow in Three’s Company. The role of the innocent blonde girl with a bright smile made the whole of America love her. She quickly became one of the highest-paid TV stars at that time.
But that success led to serious trouble. In 1980, Suzanne asked for the same salary as her male co-star John Ritter – a rarity for an actress at the time. The request was denied, and she was fired from the show after a period of being “frozen” on set.
Her decision to demand justice made her seen as greedy, and she was ostracized in Hollywood for many years.
“I lost all my contracts, my reputation. It was a very painful blow,” she recalled. “But I have no regrets about standing up for what was right.”
Bold start-up and rebirth
After being turned away from the entertainment industry, Suzanne turned to business and writing books. She became an advertising icon for the ThighMaster exercise equipment, selling more than 10 million products, building a multi-million dollar business empire.
In parallel, she published more than 25 books on health, nutrition and self-help, many of which were bestsellers.
It was during this period that she reinvented herself: from “Hollywood’s abandoned actress” to an inspirational entrepreneur and author.
Fighting cancer and the journey to healing
In 2000, Suzanne faced another tragedy: a diagnosis of breast cancer. She bravely underwent surgery and treatment, and became an advocate for integrative medicine and healthy living.
She openly shared her experience of healing, calling on women to take the initiative to protect their health. Despite the controversy over her natural healing views, she remained steadfast in her personal beliefs.
“Cancer was a big test. But it was also an opportunity for me to look back, heal and appreciate life,” she said.
Final Years and Legacy
Suzanne Somers passed away in October 2023, at the age of 76. On her final days, she remained optimistic and vibrant, just like the image she brought to the screen.
From a harsh childhood, career changes, to the battle with illness, Suzanne Somers’ journey is a story of resilience, daring to fight and constantly reinventing herself.
