Renowned actress Suzanne Somers, who passed away at the age of 76 on October 15, succumbed to complications related to breast cancer, leaving behind a complex legacy characterized by her transformation into a celebrity wellness icon. Having leveraged her television fame from the sitcom “Three’s Company,” Somers embarked on a second career as a self-proclaimed authority in health and beauty.
Although her name might be unfamiliar to younger generations, the ripple effects of her influence persist, according to Timothy Caulfield, a distinguished professor at the University of Alberta’s School of Public Health and the author of “Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?” Caulfield emphasized that Somers established a pervasive template that continues to manifest itself in contemporary culture.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Somers achieved fame not only for her role on “Three’s Company” but also for her immensely successful product, the ThighMaster, which garnered millions of enthusiasts seeking to attain the iconic figure she was known for. Beyond her commercial success, her fans connected with her on a deeply personal level, admiring her for her courage in openly discussing her upbringing in the shadow of an alcoholic father and her battle with cancer.
However, Somers’ legacy became tarnished due to her advocacy for defying established medical practices. She made headlines when she revealed that she had opted to forego chemotherapy, against the advice of her medical professionals. Furthermore, she fervently championed “bioidentical hormones” as a purportedly natural alternative to conventional pharmaceutical treatments for menopause, a stance that drew significant criticism for its potential risks. On “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” Somers elaborated on her intricate daily regimen, which included the self-administration of hormones via vaginal injections and the ingestion of a staggering 60 pills daily in her quest to preserve a youthful and attractive appearance.
