Suzanne Somers' Death Certificate: Official Cause Of Death Revealed
By Afouda Bamidele on October 26, 2023 at 5:53 PM EDT
Suzanne Somers' death certificate reveals how badly her cancer had spread at the time of her passing.
According to the death certificate obtained by The Blast, Somers' died from breast cancer, as it was widely known. However, the cancer had metastasized to the brain. The "Three's Company" actress died at the age of 76.
Suzanne Somers' Cause Of Death Revealed
The death certificate listed Somers' immediate cause of death as "breast cancer with metastasis to the brain." A biopsy was done to confirm the revelation but no autopsy was carried out on the late actress' remains. Other underlying conditions that contributed to her death included hypertension and hydrocephalus.
Mayo Clinic describes Hydrocephalus as the buildup of fluid in cavities called ventricles deep within the brain. The excess fluid increases the size of the ventricles and puts pressure on the brain. The certificate confirms she battled hydrocephalus for more than a year.
In July 2022 she was given an "intracerebral ventricular shunt" also known as a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. It is a cerebral shunt used to treat hydrocephalus. It essentially removes excess fluid in the brain.
According to the certificate, the "Step by Step" star, who died at 5:30 a.m. on October 15, was listed as an entertainer who had spent 57 years in the industry. She was buried three days after her passing at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City in a ceremony handled by a funeral home in Palm Springs, California.
Somers' heartbreaking death was announced by her longtime publicist via a statement that read, "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. Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan, her son Bruce, and her immediate family."
It 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." The actress had been looking forward to her 77th birthday, which would have happened the day after her passing.
Representatives confirmed that the iconic actress would be laid to rest that week in a private family burial ceremony before a more elaborate memorial will be held in November. Somers, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, revealed it returned over the summer.
She shared the devastating news in a July 31 Instagram post featuring her husband of 55 years, Alan Hamel."As you know, I had breast cancer two decades ago, and every now and then it pops up again, and I continue to bat it down. I have used the best alternative and conventional treatments to combat it. This is not new territory for me," she wrote in the accompanying caption.
The late actress informed fans she was hopeful about beating the disease writing, "I know how to put on my battle gear and I'm a fighter. Alan has been by my side every step of the way. I can’t even explain how much he has done for me. If it’s even possible, we are even closer than ever."
Suzanne Somers Rejected Chemotherapy Before Her Death
Following the news of her passing, sources close to the beloved Hollywood star revealed new details about her battle with breast cancer. Per reports, Somers vehemently refused to consider a more effective treatment like chemotherapy, choosing to rely on holistic and alternative methods.
"Suzanne chose not to do chemotherapy to treat her cancer and opted for a more holistic approach. She was advised by several people to consider the more conventional approach, but she did not listen," the insider told Daily Mail.
The source explained that the "I'm Too Young" author always rejected chemotherapy even during her first bout with cancer, but "her friends and loved ones urged her to reconsider so many times during her cancer battles and at the end."
The timing of the cancer recurrence also didn't help as she found out at the start of summer and believed she didn't have "that long to really do anything other than accept it." Regardless of her death, the source confirmed Somers had no regret about her decision to choose holistic treatment.
"She never regretted her decisions and she was prepared to go. She believed that she lived a life beyond her wildest dreams and truly made a dent in the world."
Somers was survived by her husband, son Bruce Somers Jr., and three granddaughters.
RIP
