Suzanne Somers Net Worth: How She Built $100 Million

Suzanne Somers became famous as a television actress, but acting was only one part of the story behind her wealth. Best known for playing Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company and Carol Foster Lambert on Step by Step, she later built a major business career around fitness, wellness, beauty, and publishing. At the time of her death in October 2023, her net worth was widely estimated at $100 million. Much of her financial success came from turning her celebrity recognition into a lasting personal brand, especially through the ThighMaster fitness product and her many books and lifestyle products. She also worked with her husband, Alan Hamel, on business ventures for decades. Her journey from sitcom star to entrepreneur makes the story of Suzanne Somers net worth particularly interesting.

Quick Facts About Suzanne Somers

Who Was Suzanne Somers?

Suzanne Somers was an American actress, author, entrepreneur, and television personality whose career lasted for more than five decades. She first gained major attention in Hollywood during the 1970s before becoming a household name as Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company.

Her career later expanded well beyond television. Somers became a bestselling author and businesswoman, particularly known for promoting the ThighMaster during the 1990s. She also developed beauty, skincare, wellness, and supplement products under her name.

This combination of entertainment and entrepreneurship was central to her financial success. Rather than relying only on acting salaries, she developed products and intellectual property that could continue generating commercial opportunities outside of traditional television work.

Early Life and Background

Suzanne Marie Somers was born on October 16, 1946, in San Bruno, California. She grew up in a working-class family and later described her childhood as difficult and turbulent.

Before becoming a major television star, Somers worked various jobs and pursued opportunities in entertainment. She began appearing in small television and film roles during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

One of her most recognizable early appearances came in George Lucas’s 1973 film American Graffiti. She played the blonde in the white Thunderbird who catches Richard Dreyfuss’s character’s attention. Although the part was very small, the appearance helped put her on the Hollywood map.

Her early career also included appearances in television programs and other entertainment projects. These smaller roles eventually led to the opportunity that changed her professional life: Three’s Company.

Her Age and Physical Features

Suzanne Somers was 76 years old when she died on October 15, 2023, just one day before her 77th birthday. She was born in 1946 and remained active in entertainment and business well into her later years.

Somers became known for her blonde hair, bright personality, glamorous appearance, and distinctive fashion style. During her Three’s Company years, her appearance became an important part of her television image.

Her public image later evolved as she became associated with fitness, healthy aging, beauty, and wellness. She often promoted products and ideas connected with maintaining an active lifestyle.

Career and Major Achievements

Suzanne Somers’ biggest career breakthrough came when she was cast as Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company in 1977. The role made her a major television star, although she left the series in 1981 following a highly publicized salary dispute. She later returned to network television as Carol Foster Lambert on Step by Step and expanded into publishing and entrepreneurship.

One of her most significant commercial achievements was becoming the face of the ThighMaster. More than 15 million units were reportedly sold, turning the simple fitness device into one of the most recognizable direct-response products of its era.

She also became a prolific author, writing books about wellness, beauty, aging, relationships, and health. Several became bestsellers, helping her build a business identity that extended far beyond acting.

Three’s Company and Her Salary Dispute

Somers became famous after joining Three’s Company as Chrissy Snow. The sitcom, which also starred John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt, became one of the most recognizable television comedies of its era.

Her popularity increased rapidly, and so did her compensation. According to reports, she was earning around $30,000 per episode by the fourth season. In 1980, she sought a much larger salary, reportedly asking for $150,000 per episode and a share of the show’s profits.

The dispute eventually ended her time on the series. She was phased out and then fired, while the show continued without Chrissy Snow.

The controversy became an important moment in Somers’ career because it pushed her toward opportunities outside the sitcom. Instead of disappearing from the entertainment world, she developed other avenues in television, live performance, publishing, and business.

The ThighMaster and Her Business Empire

The ThighMaster became one of the defining parts of Somers’ business career. During the 1990s, she became the recognizable spokesperson for the fitness device, appearing in television advertisements and demonstrating how it could be used for exercise.

The product became a major commercial success. Forbes reported that more than 15 million ThighMaster units had been sold, while other reporting has connected the business to hundreds of millions of dollars in sales.

It is important to distinguish product sales from personal wealth. Reported sales figures represent revenue generated by the business and do not mean that the entire amount went directly into Somers’ bank account.

Still, the success of the ThighMaster gave Somers something extremely valuable: a business platform. Her name became associated with fitness and wellness products, allowing her to expand into other categories.

She and Alan Hamel were closely involved with the business side of her brand. Their partnership helped transform Somers from a television celebrity into a long-term lifestyle entrepreneur.

Books and Publishing Success

Publishing became another important source of income and influence for Somers. Over the course of her career, she wrote more than 20 books covering subjects such as aging, wellness, beauty, relationships, nutrition, and personal experiences.

Her books helped her connect with an audience that was interested in the lifestyle philosophy she promoted. Several became bestselling titles, strengthening her reputation as an author as well as an actress.

Among her better-known books were Ageless: The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones, The Sexy Years, and Breakthrough: Eight Steps to Wellness.

Her publishing career was valuable beyond book royalties. It also supported television appearances, interviews, product promotions, and other business opportunities.

Beauty, Skincare, and Wellness Products

Somers eventually expanded her brand into beauty and wellness products. Her business activities included skincare, makeup, hair products, supplements, and other lifestyle merchandise.

Forbes reported in 2024 that her brand continued to sell products including skincare and supplements after her death. This illustrates how extensive the business operation around her name had become.

Her approach was closely connected to her public interest in aging and wellness. She positioned herself as a lifestyle personality rather than simply an actress selling individual products.

That broader strategy helped her maintain commercial relevance even after her most famous television roles were decades behind her.

Relationship With Alan Hamel

Alan Hamel was one of the most important people in Suzanne Somers’ personal and professional life. The Canadian television host and producer met Somers during her early career, and they eventually married in 1977.

The couple remained together for more than four decades. Hamel also had experience in television and entertainment, making him a natural business partner as Somers expanded her career.

Their professional relationship became particularly important as Somers developed her entrepreneurial ventures. Hamel was involved in business decisions surrounding her brand, including the ThighMaster and other commercial projects.

Their long partnership became an important part of the story behind Somers’ later success.

Marriage and Family Life

Suzanne Somers was married twice. Her first marriage was to Bruce Somers, whom she married when she was young. They had a son, Bruce Somers Jr., before eventually divorcing.

She later married Alan Hamel in 1977. Their marriage lasted until Somers’ death in 2023 and was frequently described as a long-running partnership in both life and business.

Somers also had a close relationship with her extended family. Her husband and son were among the family members with her in Palm Springs when she died.

Her family life remained an important part of her identity, particularly during the later years of her career.

Social Media Presence

During the later part of her life, Suzanne Somers maintained a public presence through social media, particularly Instagram. She used these platforms to communicate with fans, discuss her work, promote products, and share personal updates.

Social media became another way for Somers to maintain a direct relationship with her audience. This was especially useful for an entrepreneur whose business depended heavily on personal branding.

She also continued appearing in interviews and media programs, allowing her to remain visible to audiences long after her most famous sitcom roles had ended.

Personality and Interests

Suzanne Somers was known for her energetic personality, confidence, and entrepreneurial attitude. She often spoke about aging, beauty, fitness, relationships, and maintaining an active lifestyle.

She also had a strong interest in fashion and personal presentation. Her distinctive wardrobe from her television years became part of her cultural legacy, and her husband later discussed plans involving her extensive fashion archive.

Somers also enjoyed performing. Beyond television, she appeared in Las Vegas and other live entertainment settings, demonstrating that she remained interested in performing throughout different stages of her career.

Suzanne Somers Net Worth and Income

At the time of her death in October 2023, Suzanne Somers was widely reported to have an estimated net worth of $100 million. However, celebrity net worth figures are estimates rather than audited statements, so the exact value of her estate cannot be established solely from that number.

Her wealth came from several major sources. Acting provided the foundation, particularly through Three’s Company and Step by Step. Her business ventures later became an increasingly important part of her financial story.

The ThighMaster was particularly significant. More than 15 million units were reportedly sold, and the product became a major direct-response success. Forbes described Somers as having built a multimillion-dollar empire through the product and her broader health and wellness businesses.

Her books also generated income through publishing and royalties. In addition, skincare, cosmetics, supplements, television appearances, and other commercial activities contributed to her overall earnings.

The important point is that her estimated wealth did not come from one television salary. It developed over decades through multiple income streams.

Public Image and Legacy

Suzanne Somers left behind a public image that changed considerably over the course of her career. She first became famous as the cheerful Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company, but eventually became equally associated with entrepreneurship, fitness, wellness, and publishing.

Her ThighMaster advertisements became a memorable part of 1990s popular culture. The product’s success demonstrated how a celebrity could turn television fame into a recognizable consumer brand.

She was also a controversial figure in the wellness space. Some of her health-related claims and views attracted criticism from medical professionals and health organizations, particularly regarding alternative approaches to cancer and hormone-related treatments.

Regardless of those debates, her business career was substantial. She successfully maintained a recognizable personal brand for decades and continued creating products, books, and entertainment projects well beyond her early television success.

Somers died on October 15, 2023, after living with breast cancer for more than two decades. She was 76. Her family was with her at her Palm Springs home.

Frequently Asked Questions About Suzanne Somers

1. What was Suzanne Somers’ net worth?

Suzanne Somers’ net worth was widely estimated at around $100 million at the time of her death in 2023. The estimate reflected her entertainment career, business ventures, publishing, and lifestyle products.

2. How did Suzanne Somers make most of her money?

Somers earned money through acting, books, fitness products, beauty products, supplements, and other businesses. The ThighMaster became one of the most commercially important ventures associated with her name.

3. How many ThighMaster products were sold?

More than 15 million ThighMaster units were reportedly sold. The product became a major fitness and television-shopping success during the 1990s.

4. Was Suzanne Somers married?

Yes. Suzanne Somers was married to Alan Hamel from 1977 until her death in 2023. They were also professional partners in several of her business ventures.

5. How old was Suzanne Somers when she died?

Suzanne Somers was 76 years old when she died on October 15, 2023. She died one day before her 77th birthday.

6. What was Suzanne Somers famous for?

She was best known for playing Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company. She later became known for Step by Step, the ThighMaster, bestselling books, and her wellness and beauty businesses.

7. How many books did Suzanne Somers write?

Somers wrote more than 20 books during her career. Her books covered wellness, aging, beauty, relationships, health, and personal experiences.

8. What happened to Suzanne Somers?

Suzanne Somers died on October 15, 2023, after living with breast cancer for more than 23 years. She died peacefully at her home in Palm Springs surrounded by family.