The late Suzanne Somers and husband Alan Hamel seemingly had a love story straight out of a Hollywood movie.
Somers and Hamel often spoke highly of their 45-year marriage, which lasted until the “Step by Step” star died Sunday, just sooner or later before her 77th birthday.
In January 2021, Somers gushed to Us Weekly, “We give one another a variety of attention. That seems easy, but you’d be amazed at what number of couples don’t remember to present each other a variety of attention.”
The “Three’s Company” alum continued, “It’s not, like, a chore for us. I like to hug him and rub his hair. He tells me I’m beautiful on a regular basis and we hold hands while we sleep. It’s probably the most beautiful a part of my life.”
Here’s a take a look at the connection between Somers and Hamel, which got off to a rocky start nearly 55 years ago.
Began dating in 1969
Somers and Hamel met in 1969 when he hosted the sport show “The Anniversary Game,” and she or he was a prize model.
Hamel was already married, to Marilyn Hamel, and the pair engaged in an affair. Somers became pregnant by him and had an abortion.
“Back then I used to be lying, manipulating, hiding… I blamed myself for every part,” Somers told the Tampa Bay Times in 1992.
Married in 1977
The pair married nearly a decade later, in 1977.
It was Somers’ second marriage. She was married to Bruce Somers from 1965-68. They’d a son, Bruce Jr., in November 1965.
Hamel was married to Marilyn from 1958 to 1971. They’d son Stephen and daughter Leslie.
Business partners in 1990
Somers and Hamel invested within the ThighMaster in 1990, selling greater than 10 million fitness devices due to Somers’ enthusiastic infomercials.
“We had partners — 50/50 — they usually got drunk on money when it began selling,” she explained on the “Hollywood Raw” podcast last 12 months. “They overspent to the purpose where they may now not afford to be of their side of the business, so we bought them out. Now we have 100%.”
“Anybody can do it,” she added. “Individuals are at all times calling me and wanting to know, ‘How do I this?’ You may’t resolve to generate profits. You’ve to have a passion about whatever you’re selling. It must be a fit. I can’t sell baseball bats. But I desired to keep my legs looking great for those Manolo Blahnik shoes. So there was a weird, form of strange, passion there.”
Sex headlines in 2013
The couple was never shy about their amazing sex life.
During an appearance on “The Talk” in 2013, Somers claimed the pair had sex no less than twice a day.
“He’s on hormones, and I’m on hormones,” she shared. “I’m going to be so sorry I said that. … What’s it about men at 4 within the morning? There’s some level at 4 within the morning, after which I’m really awake around 8 or so. Now we have busy mornings.”
Secrets to a completely satisfied marriage in 2021
Somers revealed the secrets to her long-lasting marriage to Us Weekly in 2021, emphasizing the importance of frequent date nights.
“We date every night. I believe dates are really essential, especially [in] long-term marriages,” she stated.
“So, here’s a date — it’s 5 o’clock and that’s once I stop working and he stops working, or if I do a Facebook Live show, I am going to work from 5 to six. But on the nights that I don’t do Facebook Live, we meet at Big Al’s bar — that’s the bar at our house — and he pours me a stiff tequila of clear because clear has little to no sugar and a variety of ice.”
“We sip tequila, take heed to music, sometimes we dance. … It’s just what we do,” Somers added.
Final photo together in 2023
Somers and Hamel could be photographed together for the last time, on July 31.
“Since I even have been taking break day from work, a lot of you may have asked for more details about my health,” she captioned a snap on Instagram of the couple looking effortlessly in love. “As you realize, I had breast cancer 20 years ago, and once in a while it pops up again, and I proceed to bat it down.”
“I even have used the very best alternative and standard treatments to combat it. This will not be latest territory for me. I do know learn how to placed on my battle gear and I’m a fighter. Alan has been by my side every step of the way in which.”
Somers concluded by thanking her family for his or her continued support within the heartbreaking post.
Somers’ death in 2023
The couple were parted by death when Somers passed on Oct. 15 after a decades-long cancer battle.
Her beloved Hamel read a love letter to her the night before her death before sharing it with news outlets.
Hamel said “love” doesn’t adequately describe his feelings for Somers.
“It’s not even a fraction of a fraction of a fraction. Unconditional love doesn’t do it. I’ll take a bullet for you doesn’t do it. I weep once I take into consideration my feelings for you. Feelings … That’s getting close, but not all the way in which,” he lamented.
Hamel closed his letter by saying “there aren’t any words,” “actions,” “guarantees,” or “declarations” for example their bond.
“So I’ll call it, ‘Us,’ he said. “Uniquely, magically, indescribably wonderful ‘Us.’”