The official cause of death for Suzanne Somers, the beloved actress known for her roles in “Three’s Company” and “Step by Step,” has been disclosed. The 76-year-old actress succumbed to breast cancer that had spread to her brain, as per a death certificate obtained by a media outlet. The certificate also indicated that a biopsy was performed to confirm the cause of death, but no autopsy was conducted.
In addition to cancer, Somers’ health was also compromised by hypertension and hydrocephalus, a neurological disorder characterized by an accumulation of fluid in the brain. The actress passed away on October 15 in Palm Springs, California, following a prolonged fight with cancer.
Somers was first diagnosed with breast cancer in her 50s, after previously battling skin cancer in her 30s and severe hyperplasia in her uterus. Despite her health struggles, Somers remained active in her career and public life. In a 2020 interview with CBS News, she revealed, “Even when I was Chrissy on ‘Three’s Company,’ I had had cancer three times.”
Somers passed away just a day shy of her 77th birthday. Her longtime publicist, R. Couri Hay, noted that she had survived an aggressive form of breast cancer for over 23 years. At the time of her death, she was surrounded by her husband, Alan Hamel, her son, Bruce Somers Jr., and other immediate family members.
Hamel, who was married to Somers for 46 years, shared a heartfelt tribute to his wife on Instagram following her death. He expressed his deep love for her and the profound loss he felt. Somers’ son, Bruce, also paid tribute to his mother on Instagram, highlighting her various roles in life and her impact on the world.