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Sitcom star Suzanne Somers has died aged 76 after living with breast cancer for 23 years.
The actress and businesswoman, best known for her role as Chrissy Snow in Three’s Company, died on Sunday (October 15) surrounded by her family, a day before her 77th birthday.
Somers’ longtime publicist, R. Couri Hay, announced the news in a statement that said, “Suzanne Somers passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of October 15th.
“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.
“Her family was gathered on October 16 to celebrate her 77th birthday. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life and would like to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly.”
In July, Somers, who also played Carol Foster Lambert on Step By Step, announced in an Instagram post that her breast cancer had returned.
She wrote: “As you know, I had breast cancer two decades ago and every now and then it comes back and I continue to fight it.”
“I have used the best alternative and conventional treatments to combat this. This is not new territory for me. I know how to put on my combat gear and I’m a fighter.”
She also praised her husband Alan Hamel, who has stood by her “every step of the way.”
“I can’t even explain how much he’s done for me. If it is even possible, we are even closer than ever before,” she added. “My incredible family supported us so much.”
Suzanne Somers shared a post about her health in July
(Instagram)
Somers starred in the first five series of Three’s Company from 1977.
In 2015, she also took part in the US version of Strictly entitled Dancing with the Stars alongside her professional partner Tony Dovolani.
Somers also wrote a number of self-help books and launched her own line of health and beauty products.
Additional reporting by agencies