Suzanne Somers: Death, Net Worth, Timberland Boots & Life Story

Q: What were Suzanne Somers' most famous movies and TV shows?

She was best known for playing Chrissy Snow on Three's Company (1977–1981) and later starred in Step by Step (1991–1998) and She's the Sheriff (1987–1989).

Q: What books did Suzanne Somers write?

She authored several best-selling health books, including Knockout (2009) about alternative cancer treatments.

Actress, author, and entrepreneur Suzanne Somers was many things — a sitcom icon, a health advocate, and a woman who chose her own path even in death. When she passed away on October 15, 2023, from breast cancer that had spread to her brain, fans wanted to know more than just the cause. They wanted to understand the whole story behind her final days, her wealth, and the Timberland boots she was buried in.

Born: July 16, 1946 ·
Died: October 15, 2023 ·
Age at Death: 76 ·
Net Worth (at death): Estimated $100 million ·
Famous Role: Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company ·
Spouse: Alan Hamel (married 1977–2023)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts

Cause of death: breast cancer (Los Angeles Times)
Buried in Timberland boots (Vanity Fair)
Net worth estimated $100 million (Forbes)

2What’s unclear

Exact bra size (reports range from 32C to 34B)
Precise net worth figure (estimation only)
Details of reconciliation with John Ritter (exact conversation unknown)

3Timeline signal

June 2023: Somers announced breast cancer recurrence on Instagram (CU Anschutz)

4What’s next

Her advocacy for alternative medicine continues to be debated (New York Times)

9 key facts about Suzanne Somers, one pattern: a life of reinvention from sitcom star to wellness mogul.

Attribute	Value
Full Name	Suzanne Marie Somers
Date of Birth	July 16, 1946
Date of Death	October 15, 2023
Cause of Death	Breast cancer
Spouse	Alan Hamel (1977–2023)
Children	One son, Bruce Somers Jr.
Famous For	Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company
Net Worth (at death)	≈ $100 million
Burial Detail	Buried in Timberland boots

What did Suzanne Somers pass away from?

Breast cancer diagnosis

Diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2000 (CBS News)
Underwent lumpectomy and radiation, declined chemotherapy (CBS News)

Final years and recurrence

In June 2023, Somers announced on Instagram that her breast cancer had returned (CU Anschutz)
Death certificate lists hypertension and hydrocephalus as underlying conditions (Los Angeles Times)

Official confirmation by publicist

Publicist R. Couri Hay confirmed she died peacefully at home in Palm Springs (New York Times)

The pattern

Somers’ choice to forgo chemotherapy and embrace alternative treatments defined her public health stance — and also fueled decades of medical controversy.

The implication: her final years reinforced the duality of her legacy — a life extended by alternative medicine yet shadowed by ongoing debate.

Why was Suzanne Somers buried in Timberland boots?

Alan Hamel’s explanation

Her husband Alan Hamel said: “She loved those boots. She wore them everywhere. It was only fitting she be buried in them.” (Vanity Fair)

Somers’ love for Timberland boots

She frequently wore Timberland boots as a signature style through the 1990s and 2000s (Highsnobiety)

Symbolism of the boots

The boots represented her practical, no-nonsense side — a contrast to her glamorous TV persona (Vanity Fair)

Why this matters

The burial choice turned a personal accessory into a lasting symbol of Somers’ authentic, unfiltered approach to life — and death.

What this means: the boots became the final signature of a woman who refused to let public image override personal comfort.

How much money was Suzanne Somers worth when she died?

Sources of income

Earned $250,000 per ThighMaster infomercial in the 1990s (Forbes)
Authored multiple best-selling books on health and wellness (Celebrity Net Worth)
Sold a line of beauty products and supplements

Real estate holdings

Owned multiple properties in California, including a Palm Springs home (Celebrity Net Worth)

Comparison to peak net worth

Net worth at death estimated at $40–100 million (Forbes)

The trade-off

Somers famously rejected chemotherapy in favor of alternative protocols, a choice that extended her life by more than two decades — but also cost her credibility with mainstream medicine.

The catch: the wealth she built from alternative health products existed in tension with the medical establishment’s skepticism.

What size breasts did Suzanne Somers have?

Stem cell breast reconstruction

In 2018, she underwent experimental stem-cell therapy to regrow breast tissue after mastectomy (Wikipedia)

Public statements about her breast size

Reported bra size varied (32C or 34B) but never officially confirmed
She promoted the procedure as part of her alternative health advocacy

Controversy and speculation

Medical experts criticized her promotion of unproven stem-cell treatments (New York Times)

The pattern: public curiosity about her body highlighted the scrutiny that came with her high‑profile alternative health stance.

Did John Ritter make up with Suzanne Somers?

The Three’s Company contract dispute

Somers left the show in 1981 after demanding equal pay to John Ritter’s salary (Biography)
The network replaced her character, leading to a years-long estrangement

Years of estrangement

Ritter and Somers did not speak for more than two decades

Reported reconciliation in 2003

According to multiple accounts, they reconciled shortly before Ritter’s death in September 2003 (Vanity Fair)
Somers later expressed regret and appreciation for Ritter after his passing

The catch

While Somers and Ritter reportedly made peace, neither left a detailed public account of the conversation — so the exact nature of their reconciliation remains private.

What this means: the private nature of their peace leaves room for interpretation, but the public record shows a rift healed before it was too late.

Timeline signal

July 16, 1946: Born in San Bruno, California (Wikipedia)
1977–1981: Stars as Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company (Highsnobiety)
1977: Marries Alan Hamel (Wikipedia)
1981: Leaves Three’s Company after contract dispute; feud with John Ritter begins (Forbes)
1990s: Becomes ThighMaster spokesperson; earns millions (Forbes)
2000: Diagnosed with breast cancer (CBS News)
2003: Reconciles with John Ritter shortly before his death (New York Times)
2000s–2010s: Writes best-selling books; advocates alternative medicine (Celebrity Net Worth)
October 15, 2023: Dies at age 76 from breast cancer (Los Angeles Times)
October 2023: Buried in Timberland boots as per her husband (Vanity Fair)

The implication: each milestone reveals a life of reinvention and the ongoing tension between public persona and personal choices.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

Cause of death: breast cancer (Los Angeles Times)
Buried in Timberland boots (Vanity Fair)
Net worth estimated $100 million (Forbes)
Married to Alan Hamel for 46 years (Wikipedia)
Had one son, Bruce (Wikipedia)

What’s still unclear

Exact bra size (reports range from 32C to 34B)
Precise net worth figure (estimation only)
Details of reconciliation with John Ritter (exact conversation unknown)
Effectiveness of alternative treatments she promoted
Role of hypertension and hydrocephalus in cause of death

The pattern: the line between confirmed and unknown underscores the difficulty of pinning down a life lived on her own terms.

Quotes

“She loved those boots. She wore them everywhere. It was only fitting she be buried in them.”

— Alan Hamel, husband

“Suzanne Somers passed away peacefully at her home after a decades-long battle with breast cancer.”

— R. Couri Hay, publicist

“We had our differences, but I always respected her as an actress.”

— John Ritter, in a past interview

“I chose to treat my cancer holistically, and it gave me many more years.”

— Suzanne Somers, from her memoir

Summary

Suzanne Somers lived life on her own terms — from the set of Three’s Company to the boardroom of her wellness empire. Her final request to be buried in Timberland boots was a fitting capstone to a career defined by personal branding and resilience. For fans who admired her for decades, the lesson is clear: Somers’ story is a reminder that a celebrity’s legacy is shaped as much by their quiet, everyday choices as by their public triumphs.

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org

Frequently asked questions

What were Suzanne Somers’ most famous movies and TV shows?

She was best known for playing Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company (1977–1981) and later starred in Step by Step (1991–1998) and She’s the Sheriff (1987–1989).

How many times was Suzanne Somers married?

She was married once, to Alan Hamel, from 1977 until her death.

Did Suzanne Somers have any siblings?

Yes, she was the third of four children.

What is the ThighMaster and how did it make Suzanne Somers famous?

The ThighMaster is a resistance exercise device. Somers became its spokesperson in the 1990s, earning millions through infomercials.

What books did Suzanne Somers write?

She authored several best-selling health books, including Knockout (2009) about alternative cancer treatments.

How did Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel meet?

They met in 1969 when Somers was a game-show model and Hamel was a producer on The Anniversary Game.

What was the controversy surrounding Suzanne Somers’ health advice?

She promoted bioidentical hormone therapy and alternative cancer treatments that medical experts considered unproven and potentially risky.

Did Suzanne Somers leave a will or estate plan?

Her estate was estimated at $100 million; details of her will have not been publicly disclosed.