Who Was Bruce Somers Sr.? Everything You Need to Know About Suzanne Somers’ Ex-Husband
About Bruce Somers – Suzanne Somers was a beloved TV icon who starred in popular shows like “Three’s Company” and “Step by Step”. She also became a successful entrepreneur and author, launching her own fitness and beauty products. She passed away on October 15, 2023, at the age of 76, after a long battle with breast cancer. She was surrounded by her family, including her husband of 46 years, Alan Hamel, and her son, Bruce Jr.
But who was Bruce Somers Sr., the first husband of Suzanne Somers and the father of her only son? Here is everything you need to know about him.
Early Life and Education
Bruce Sr. was born on June 14, 1946, in San Francisco, California. He grew up in a middle-class family with his parents and two siblings. He attended Lowell High School and graduated in 1964. He then enrolled at San Francisco State University, where he studied business administration.
Marriage to Suzanne Somers
According to factynews.com, Bruce Somers Sr. met Suzanne Marie Mahoney when they were both teenagers. They fell in love and got married in 1965 when Suzanne was 19 and pregnant with their son. They named their son Bruce Edward Somers Jr., who was born on November 8, 1965.
The young couple faced many challenges in their marriage. Suzanne was pursuing a modeling career and had aspirations to become an actress. She also suffered from low self-esteem and emotional issues due to her abusive childhood. She later revealed that she had an affair with her acting coach, which led to their divorce in 1968.
Career and Net Worth
After his divorce from Suzanne Somers, Bruce Somers Sr. focused on his career as a businessman. He worked as a sales manager for several companies, including IBM and Xerox. He also owned and operated his own businesses, such as Somers & Somers Productions and Quigley-Simpson, a direct-response media company.
According to various sources, Bruce had a net worth of around $10 million at the time of his death. He earned his wealth from his successful career in sales and marketing, as well as from his investments and properties.
Bruce Somers Sr. Personal Life and Death
Somers Sr. never remarried after his divorce from Suzanne Somers. He remained close to his son Bruce Jr., who followed in his footsteps in the media industry. Bruce Jr. became the founder and CEO of several companies, such as Lost Kitty Productions and The Content Collective. He also married Caroline Somers and had two daughters with her: Camelia and Violet.
Bruce Somers Sr. died on July 18, 2021, at the age of 75. He suffered from a heart attack at his home in Los Angeles, California. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean.
Trivia
- He was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing at various courses around the world.
- Bruce was a fan of classic rock music and attended many concerts with his son.
- He was a philanthropist and supported various causes, such as education, health care, and animal welfare.
- Somers Sr. was proud of his Irish heritage and celebrated St. Patrick’s Day every year.
- Bruce Somers Sr. had a good relationship with Alan Hamel, the second husband of Suzanne Somers. They respected each other and often spent time together with their son and grandchildren.
Suzanne Somers: The Actress and Health Pioneer Who Died at 76
Suzanne Somers, the actress who charmed millions of viewers with her portrayal of a ditzy blonde on the hit sitcom “Three’s Company”, died on October 15, 2023, at the age of 76. She had been battling breast cancer for over 23 years and passed away peacefully at her home in Palm Springs, California.
Somers was not only a successful actress, but also a bestselling author, a fitness guru, a health advocate, and a businesswoman. She had a remarkable life story that was marked by both triumphs and challenges. Here are some of the facts you may not know about Suzanne Somers:
Early life and family
She was the third of four children in a working-class Irish-American Catholic family. Her mother, Marion Elizabeth (née Turner), was a medical secretary, and her father, Francis Mahoney, was a laborer and gardener. Her father was an alcoholic and was abusive to his family. Somers later said that she grew up in a “nightmare” and that she had to develop a sense of humor to cope with the situation.
Somers attended Mercy High School in Burlingame, California, but had trouble with her schoolwork due to her father’s all-night rages and would often fall asleep in class. She was expelled at age 14 for writing sexually suggestive notes to a boy, which were never sent. She then attended Capuchino High School in San Bruno, California, where she graduated in 1964. She won the “Best Doll Award” for her role in the senior musical, Guys and Dolls, and helped organize her class’s senior ball.
Career and fame
Her breakthrough came in 1973 when she landed a role in George Lucas’s American Graffiti as the mysterious blonde in the Thunderbird. The film was a huge success and launched the careers of many young actors.
In 1977, Somers auditioned for the role of Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company, a sitcom about three roommates who pretend to be gay or straight to fool their landlord. Somers beat out hundreds of other actresses for the part and became an instant star.
However, Somers’s fame also brought her troubles. In 1980, she asked for a raise from $30,000 to $150,000 per episode, plus 10% of the show’s profits. The producers refused and offered her $35,000 instead. Somers went on strike and only appeared in one minute of each episode for the fifth season. She was eventually fired from the show and replaced by another actress. Somers later sued the producers for breach of contract and settled out of court for $30 million.
She also wrote several books on health and wellness topics such as dieting, aging, hormones, cancer, and sexuality. Some of her books were controversial and criticized by experts for promoting alternative treatments that were not scientifically proven or safe.
Cause of Death
Somers was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and underwent a lumpectomy and radiation therapy. She refused to take chemotherapy and opted for alternative treatments instead. She also used bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to cope with menopause. She claimed that these methods helped her beat cancer and stay youthful.
However, Somers’s cancer returned in 2023 and was more aggressive than before. She revealed her diagnosis on Instagram in July 2023 and said that she was fighting it with courage and optimism. She also thanked her fans for their support and love.
Somers died on October 15, 2023, at her home in Palm Springs, California. She was surrounded by her family and friends. Her publicist R. Couri Hay announced her death 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. She was a pioneer in the fields of health, wellness, beauty, and entertainment. She was an inspiration to millions of people around the world who loved her for her courage, humor, and spirit. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends, fans, and admirers.
Net worth and legacy
Somers had an estimated net worth of $100 million at the time of her death. She earned most of her money from her acting career, her books, her fitness products, her beauty products, and her jewelry line. She also invested in real estate and owned several properties in California.
Somers left behind a legacy as one of the most popular and influential actresses of her generation. She was best known for her role as Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company, but she also had many other achievements in various fields. She was a bestselling author who wrote over 25 books on topics ranging from health to humor. She was a fitness icon who promoted exercise and wellness products that helped millions of people shape their bodies. She was a health advocate who raised awareness about breast cancer and alternative treatments. She was a businesswoman who created her own brand of products that used natural ingredients and avoided chemicals.
Somers was also a humanitarian who supported many causes such as animal rights, environmental protection, children’s welfare, and women’s empowerment. She received many awards and honors for her work such as the Humanitarian Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners, the Crystal Award from Women in Film, the Courage Award from the Wellness Community, and the Voice of Women Award from the YWCA.
