Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel: A Love Story for the Ages
Famous actress Suzanne Somers passed away on October 15 after a long battle with cancer, but throughout it all, she had her devoted husband Alan Hamel by her side. The couple first met in 1969, and after eight years of courtship, they tied the knot in 1977, embarking on a journey that would span over 40 years.
In an interview with ET in July 2023, Somers shared, “My cancer is a disease that affected my whole family, and once it hit me in my 20s, Alan and I got even closer, and every moment of every day was precious. We have not spent even one day apart in over 42 years. That’s the big upside of my cancer. My son refers to our relationship as functionally co-dependent, and my incredible family has been unbelievably supportive every step of the way.”
Let’s take a look back at the timeline of Somers and Hamel’s epic romance.
1969 — They Meet
Following her divorce from Bruce Somers, Suzanne met Alan Hamel on the set of “The Anniversary Game” in 1969. Despite Suzanne’s short stint as a prize model on the show, it was enough time for her to make a lasting impression on Alan Hamel, who was the show’s host. Talking about their first meeting, Suzanne revealed, “I went home so dejected. But Alan Hamel, who was the host of that show, had found my phone number on the AFTRA forms. He shouldn’t have been reading it, but he found it and called me, and here we are.” According to Suzanne, they even had sex on their first date.
1977 — They Say “I Do”
After years of dating, Suzanne and Alan exchanged vows in 1977. Suzanne shared with ET in 2017 that their courtship had its challenges and they often fought about control and power dynamics, but they worked things out. Alan, who already had two kids from his previous marriage, became Suzanne’s rock and went on to manage her career.
1980s — Hamel Becomes Somers’ Manager
In the 1980s, Alan took over as Suzanne’s manager, making career-oriented, long-term deals for her. During this time, they enjoyed a glamorous lifestyle and frequented famous nightclubs like Studio 54. Suzanne reminisced, “We had the best time ever. We loved it. And then I’d come back to Los Angeles and I’d go in the studio and do Three’s Company, and then at night I’d do magazine covers, and then [on] the weekend we’d fly to New York. What a life, huh?”
1991 — The ThighMaster Commercial
Inspired by Alan, Suzanne came up with the idea for her famous ThighMaster commercial. It all started when Suzanne showed off her new expensive shoes to Alan in her underwear. Impressed with her legs, Alan exclaimed, “Great legs!” and that’s when Suzanne knew it would make a great commercial. The rest is history, and they sold millions of ThighMasters.
2000 — Somers Is Diagnosed With Breast Cancer
In 2000, Suzanne received the devastating news that she had breast cancer. Alan described it as the saddest day of his life. Despite the initial shock, Alan stayed by Suzanne’s side throughout her surgery and recovery, taking care of her and providing unwavering support.
January 2007 — Their House Burns Down
Tragedy struck in 2007 when a wildfire destroyed Suzanne and Alan’s Malibu home. Fortunately, they escaped unharmed, but everything was lost. However, after a decade, they managed to rebuild their home and find joy in their surroundings.
2017 — Life Is Good
In 2017, Suzanne shared that life was good with Alan. They enjoyed spending their evenings together, listening to music, talking, and dancing. Suzanne expressed, “I never get tired of him.”
2019 — They Have an Active Sex Life
In a 2019 interview, Suzanne revealed that she and Alan had an active sex life, engaging in intimacy twice a day. She credited this to weekly injections of a sexual stimulant that worked on the brain.
July 2023 — Somers’ Cancer Returns
In July 2023, Suzanne announced that her cancer had returned. She expressed gratitude for the bond she shared with Alan, stating that they had not spent even one day apart in over 42 years, referring to their relationship as “functionally co-dependent.”
Oct. 15, 2023 — Somers Dies
On October 15, 2023, Suzanne Somers passed away, surrounded by her loving husband Alan, their son Bruce, and their immediate family. The news was confirmed by her publicist, R. Couri Hay. Despite their loss, Suzanne and Alan’s love story will continue to be remembered as one for the ages.
Shortly after her passing, a love poem written by Alan for Suzanne on her 77th birthday, which would have been a day after her death, was revealed. The poem serves as a testament to their enduring love for each other.