Suzanne Somers' husband has shared the star's final heartbreaking moments before she passed away aged 76.
On Sunday, it was announced that the actress had died peacefully at her home in a statement by her publicist on behalf of her family.
"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," R. Couri Hay told PEOPLE.
"Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family," the statement continued. "Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th. Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly."
In a separate statement, Hay also told the outlet that the "beautiful house" the 76-year-old spent her final moments in was "one of her dreams."
"There were all these plans and she was always working and dreaming and had brought her family into the business, and the grandchildren and step-children were all part of the business," the publicist said, adding that she was "very engaged right to the end."
The outlet also reported that a private family burial will take place sometime this week, and a memorial will be held later next month.
In the wake of the tragic news, Somers' husband Alan Hamel has opened up about the final moments he had with his wife.
Speaking to Page Six, he said: "We continued our search for the right thing to do at all times."
"It got to the point where cancer is very tricky. Just when you think everything is fine and you get an all clear, cancer does an end-run... cancer is ugly, it’s an epidemic," he continued.
The 87-year-old then said that the pair had talked about the prospect of death coming.
"One of the things we talked about was that we knew that this day was coming," he told the outlet.
However, he also added: "We thought it was going to be me [first] because I am 10 years older than her... It was a conundrum. I said, 'If I pass, then you’ll be alone. I can’t imagine you being alone, there is no solution.'"
R. Couri Hay also told Page Six that it had been an uphill battle with Somers' health ever since her fall which resulted in her breaking her neck back in 2020.
"She never truly recovered from her fall on the stairs, and cancer weakens your bones," he said. "Alan was with her, they rarely spent an hour apart in 55 years together. She spent seven weeks there and then headed home for her birthday. She planned to be with her family."
"Her son Bruce, daughter Leslie and daughter-in-law Caroline all arrived the day before her birthday and all she wanted was cake — she was always happiest with a red velvet cupcake," he added.
However, by the time Somers’ family arrived, she was in a "weakened state," as per Hay's recollection.
"She fought until her last breath, using every form of medicine," he said. "She went peacefully after raging and fighting for her life."
Despite the tragic news of the actress' death, the family have added that her life was worth celebrating.
"Suzanne’s grandchildren came to celebrate, but instead all the family are together celebrating her life and legacy, not her birthday," Hay stated.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Somers' loved ones during this difficult time.
