actress, she knew they made good money, so she signed with an agent and began going on auditions.
At first, she was an extra in movies in San Francisco, but her career soon became much more than being in the background of a movie scene. She starred as a prize model on "Anniversary Show" in the 1960s, where she fell in love with the host, Alan Hamel.
Hamel had two sons, Stephen and Leslie, but being a stepmother did not deter Somers, who tied the knot with Hamel in 1977. This was the same year "Three's Company" first aired, and while her career was taking off, Somers was having trouble fitting in with her husband's children.
Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel at a party for Deborah Raffin's book, "Sharing Christmas," in 1990 | Source: Getty Images
Somers admitted that her stepsons initially did not want to accept her, which put a strain on everyone involved. She thought it was more challenging to be a stepmother than a stepfather because children's biological mothers make them feel like they can't have another parent.
When Somers and Hamel married, the actress said not many people were getting divorced, and even fewer tried to blend families after they had, so she and her husband had to make their own rules for how they behaved.
Both Hamel and Somers' ex-partners were making it difficult for the couple to move on, and Somers revealed that it was upsetting. She also confessed that she and Hamel felt protective over their individual children, which put a further strain on their relationship.
Suzanne Somers and her son, Bruce Somers Jr., when Somers was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her achievements in television in 2003 | Source: Getty Images
Alan Hamel and Suzanne Somers at Manhattan Ocean Club in 1986 | Source: Getty Images
Somers described the first few years when the family was still trying to figure out how to blend, "stepfamily hell." Yet they went to therapy and were able to dig deep and find common ground on which they could live harmoniously.
After finding a way to live peacefully with her husband and his children, Somers lived a happy life until 2020, when she had an accident that would change everything for the actress.
Alan Hamel and Suzanne Somers at the premiere of the Broadway play "The Blonde in the Thunderbird" in 2005 | Source: Getty Images
Hamel and Somers had been in their bedroom when descended a flight of stairs. Somers said: "My husband grabbed my hand at the top of our bedroom stairs." While they didn't get hurt on the stairs, Somers was thrown onto cement after that, where she sustained all her injuries.
The actress said she heard her neck break, but that wasn't the only injured part of her body. Somers also broke her spine, hip, pelvis, and knee on her right side. She was sent to rehab to relearn how to walk after the accident.
Alan Hamel and Suzanne Somers outside "Good Morning America" in 2020 | Source: Getty Images
Somers spent over a year in recovery and was not fully healed even then, yet she remained optimistic. The actress mused:
"You know, every bad thing that happens to you is an opportunity to look for the good. I've learned so much about gratitude."
Suzanne Somers when she was honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her achievements in television in 2003 | Source: Getty Images
The actress also found her faith very helpful during her recovery and has a newfound respect for it. She believes there is no use in thinking negatively because there is no payoff, so she speaks and thinks positively.
This week, Somers shared a live video on Facebook where she sat on a stool and crossed her legs elegantly as she rested her hands on her knee. While she spoke about many things in her live video, fans could focus on only one thing: her legs!
Suzanne Somers in a Facebook Live video she posted in April 2023 | Source: facebook.com/watch/suzannesomers/
Suzanne Somers in a Facebook Live video she posted in April 2023 | Source: facebook.com/watch/suzannesomers/
Although Somers had a bandaid on one leg, fans couldn't stop talking about how wonderful her legs looked. One fan said, "I wish my legs looked that good!" and gushed that they were "beautiful."
Another fan commented, "What in the sexy legs?" while another said she had "legs for days." Many others could not believe Somers was 76 and wondered what her secret to staying youthful was.
Apart from having beautiful legs at 76 and looking much younger than her actual age, Somers has much more to be thankful for in her life. She has fully recovered from her fall and is besotted with her family.
A comment about Suzanne Somers' legs on a Facebook Live video she posted in April 2023 | Source: facebook.com/watch/suzannesomers/
A comment about Suzanne Somers' legs on a Facebook Live video she posted in April 2023 | Source: facebook.com/watch/suzannesomers/
Somers and Hamel are the happy grandparents of six grandchildren, and when asked what she loved about being a grandmother, she said the payoff was amazing. Somers gushed:
"Our six grandchildren: three girls and three boys, love us unconditionally, and we are crazy in love with them."
Hamel and Somers are fascinated by their grandchildren and proud of the lives they have created and the careers they have chosen. Somers says she and her husband see themselves in each of their grandchildren.
Alan Hamel and Suzanne Somers at the 29th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards Gala in 2018 | Source: Getty Images
When they are not fawning over their exceptional children and grandchildren, Somers and Hamel are still madly in love with one another. The couple is eager to spend many more years together. Somers considers Hamel to be her everything.
The couple has often been asked what has kept their spark alive after so many years and challenging times. Somers mentioned that Hamel consistently tells her she is beautiful, and they hold hands as they sleep each night.
Their secrets to lasting love are simple, and they have built an extraordinary family because of their bond. Somers and Hamel now live a quieter life in their home, and Somers shares her world through her live Facebook videos. They are an inspirational couple indeed!
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