Suzanne Somers has died. She was famous for her roles on Three’s Company and Step by Step.
A source tells PEOPLE that Somers died early Sunday morning. On Monday, she would have been 77 years old.
“Suzanne Somers died peacefully in her home early on October 15th.” “She beat a very aggressive form of breast cancer for more than 23 years,” Somers’ longtime publicist R. Couri Hay said in a statement on behalf of her family.
“Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and other close family members,” the statement said. “On October 16, her family got together to celebrate her 77th birthday.” Instead, they will honor her amazing life and thank all of her millions of fans and followers who loved her very much.
Hay also told PEOPLE in a separate statement that the “beautiful house” where Somers died was “one of her dreams.”
Her publicist said, “She had all these plans, and she was always working and dreaming. She had brought her family into the business, and the grandchildren and step-children were all part of it.” The publicist also said, “She was very engaged right up to the end.”
Hay says that the body will be buried privately by family this week, and there will be a memorial service in November.
The history of Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel’s relationship
People talked to Somers before her birthday and she said she was excited to spend the day with her family and friends.
She told them she was going to spend her birthday with her “nearest and dearest,” which included her “beloved husband Alan [Hamel], our three children, Leslie, Stephen, and Bruce, [his wife] Caroline, and our six wonderful grandchildren.”
In the same interview, Hamel, who married Somers in 1977, talked about how strong she was.
The former TV host told PEOPLE, “Suzanne and I just got back from the Midwest, where Suzanne had six weeks of intense physical therapy.” “Even though we’ve been married for fifty years, I’m still amazed at how determined and dedicated Suzanne is.”
Somers shared on Instagram in July that her breast cancer had come back for the first time since she was first diagnosed in 2000.
She wrote next to a picture of herself and Hamel, 87, “As you know, I had breast cancer twenty years ago, and every once in a while it comes back, but I keep beating it down.” I’ve used the best conventional and alternative medicines to treat it. This is not something new for me. You can count on me to fight. I know how to put on my battle gear.
That same post also said the actress was thankful for how much Hamel and her whole family have helped her.
“Alan has been with me the whole time,” she said following. “I’m speechless about what he’s done for me. We’re closer than ever, if that’s even possible. So many people in my family have been so helpful and supportive. They have kept the business going so you can still get all the great products. Thank you for all the love and support. It’s only about who you love and who loves you. “I love you!”
Somers played Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company (1977–1981) and Carol Foster Lambert on Step by Step (1991–1998). She also played Sheriff Hildy Granger in She’s the Sheriff (1987–1989).
She also wrote more than 25 books and was a New York Times best-selling author. The actress was also known for her health and beauty businesses, including the ThighMaster exercise machinery.
Somers’ “blended family” includes Hamel, her 57-year-old son Bruce, her stepchildren Stephen and Leslie, and her six grandchildren.