The day after Somers passed away, her husband Alan Hamel spoke with NBC News about their enduring love and her long career.
Just one day short of turning 77, Suzanne Somers passed away on Sunday.
In an interview with NBC News on Monday, her longtime husband Alan Hamel said that he had sensed her demise in the days before she passed away.
Hamel, 87, recalled, “I had been talking to her for hours and we were in bed together and her breathing was uneven. “There was no response except when I kissed her, she responded, and then around 5 o’clock in the morning, she was gone.”
Hamel claimed that although though her cancer had returned in July, three days prior to her passing, after spending six weeks in the care of physicians in Chicago, she appeared to be improving.
He responded, “She was eating and, you know, taking her medicine.”
However, he claims that a few days after they had gone back home, events changed.
He sobbed as he recalled how she had suddenly stopped responding, eating, and taking her medications. I wondered if I should contact 911 because I know her so well. And I was aware that she wouldn’t want to do that or check herself into a hospital.
Hamel claims that he remained at her side for several days after that.
Every night, I spoke to her for hours, and I thought she could hear me because her lips moved in response. I hoped that she was hearing me correctly.
I’m just kind of shuffling along right now, I continued. Thankfully, our entire extended family was present.
When Somers was a prize model and Hamel was presenting ABC’s “The Anniversary Game,” they fell in love.
“I saw this lovely woman standing across the stage and I felt I have to walk over there, which I did,” he added. “I was there with the crew and the personnel having a final meeting before we started shooting the series. And even though I’ve never been good at come-on lines, I won’t share mine with you since it was so ridiculously idiotic that it actually did work.
In 1977, the two got hitched and even started a business together. Hamel remembered how, after unsuccessful talks with her “Three’s Company” contract in 1980 that resulted in her termination from the popular show, he immediately started counselling Somers.
We quickly came up with a strategy when he took her by the shoulders and said, “Suzanne, we’re going to make this work for us,” he recalled. And we hired some specialists who had a thorough understanding of branding, according to me.
Hamel claims that despite Somers’ heartbreak at leaving behind a show she loved, they invested their energies into their best-selling ThighMaster as well as her bestselling books, beauty line, and multiple Las Vegas residencies.
Hamel claims that even though his wife went on to land a second popular television role in “Step by Step” from 1991 to 1998, her time as Chrissy Snow will always hold a special place in her heart.
“When she first saw [“Three’s Company,” she told me that dumb blondes are annoying and that you simply want to get away from them. A stupid blonde character that I adore is what I want to create. Additionally, if I like it, everyone else will too. That was it, then.
Hamel remarked, “I hope my wife will be remembered for being a good mother and helping those around her,” with tears in his eyes.
If not for her, “we wouldn’t have this family today,” he declared. “She took actions that nobody would ever find out about. I would overhear her on the phone calming upset folks and assuring them that everything will be fine. She also made an effort to react to everyone.
In addition to her husband, Somers is survived by a son, three grandchildren, and two stepchildren. Later this week, she will be laid to rest in a private ceremony.