It’s been a little over a year since Suzanne Somers’ passing, and her memory lives on through her family, especially her granddaughters, one of whom social media users said “looks so much like” the beloved actress.
Suzanne Somers was a beloved actress, author, and entrepreneur who made a lasting impact both on and off-screen. She was also a devoted grandmother to six, including her granddaughters, Camelia and Violet Somers.
Suzanne Somers posing for a portrait in Los Angeles, California, in 1979. | Source: Getty Images
Camelia and Violet were very close to the star and have since followed in her footsteps. Some social media users have even pointed out that one of them bears a striking resemblance to the iconic star.
Suzanne Somers at SiriusXM Studios on January 6, 2020, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
Remembering Suzanne Somers
In October 2023, Suzanne passed away, just one day before her 77th birthday. Best known for her roles in “Three’s Company” and “Step by Step,” she died peacefully in the “beautiful house” of her “dreams.”
“Suzanne was surrounded by her loving husband Alan Hamel, her son Bruce, and her immediate family,” a statement shared on behalf of the actress’ family read.
Suzanne’s longtime publicist, R. Couri Hay, confirmed that the actress had battled an aggressive form of breast cancer for more than 23 years. Though the family had gathered to celebrate her birthday, they instead honored her remarkable life and legacy.
Suzanne is survived by her only child, Bruce, born in November 1965. Unlike his famous mother, Bruce carved out a career behind the camera, working as a director and writer.
He is known for projects like “Color of Night” and “The Pagemaster,” as well as “Somersize Part 1, Suzanne Somers: Eat Great, Lose Weight,” which he directed in 1996.
In May 2019, Bruce paid tribute to his mother on Instagram for Mother’s Day, posting a touching throwback photo of the two. His heartfelt message read in part, “My mother loves and supports me like no other […]. I couldn’t ask for a better mother. I love you this Mother’s Day and every day!”
Bruce has been married to his wife, Caroline, since 1991, and in September 2020, he celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary with a sweet post.
He wrote in part, “Caroline, thank you for 29 incredible years of this journey, 29 years of co-raising two amazing young women, and 29 years of staying open-minded as the world changes around us and we learn and grow together.”
The couple share two daughters, and Suzanne fully embraced her role as a devoted grandmother. In a 2017 interview, the actress shared how much she loved having grandchildren, including the ones from her husband’s two children.
One of her greatest joys was “falling in love all over again” with her grandkids and step-grandkids. Suzanne had a “big food family” and cooking with her grandchildren brought her happiness. The actress also remarked on how fulfilling it was to watch her family come together, making her feel truly “successful.”
Suzanne Somers’ Granddaughter Camelia Somers
Born into a Hollywood family, Camelia naturally gravitated toward the performing arts from a young age.
In 2015, she made her acting debut on the popular CBS daytime drama “The Bold and the Beautiful,” where she played Charlotte, a college student interning at Forrester Creations.
Her character became embroiled in a surprising plot twist that saw her in a romantic encounter with Thomas Forrester, the CEO’s son, played by Pierson Fode.
Camelia Somers and Chord Overstreet at “An Unforgettable Evening at Beverly Wilshire” on March 16, 2023, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
The role helped Camelia establish herself as an actress in her own right, following in her famous grandmother’s footsteps. However, growing up in Brentwood, California, Camelia’s passion for performance extended far beyond acting.
She was involved in musical theater, competing on a dance team for seven years, and earning lead roles in children’s theater productions. She also excelled academically, attending the prestigious Harvard Westlake School, balancing her studies with cheerleading, and leading the school’s dance team.
After high school, Camelia chose to stay in Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California, where she pursued a degree in Chinese language and culture, along with minors in business and film.
In honor of her birthday, on October 2, her father took to Instagram to express his deep pride in her, writing in part, “I would pick you as my daughter in every lifetime. Thank you for the spirits you lift, the smiles you generate, and the light you shine on everything you touch.”
Over the years, social media users couldn’t help but notice Camelia’s likeness to her famous grandmother, with one person commenting on a post Bruce shared, “She looks so much like your mom. Beautiful!”
Following Suzanne’s passing, Camelia paid tribute to her grandmother on Instagram, sharing a photo with a touching caption that read, “I love you forever Zannie, my different kind of grandma ❤️.” One person shared, “You look like your grandma ❤️.” Another added, “You wear her smile! How blessed is that!?”
Suzanne Somers’ Granddaughter Violet Somers
Suzanne’s other granddaughter, Violet Somers, has also followed a creative path, though she has maintained a more private lifestyle compared to her sister.
Violet went into acting as well and appeared in the 2017 film “Paint Me in the Opera House.” In April 2023, Violet’s father celebrated her 25th birthday with a loving Instagram post, where he reflected on her impact on those around her.
He wrote in part, “This soul turned 25 today. That’s 25 years of spreading light and love touching everyone she encounters. […] Happy birthday, Violet. I love you so much. Thanks again for choosing me as your Dad on earth. Love you always.”
Following their grandmother’s passing, Violet and her sister opened up about the actress’s final days and shared touching stories about her. Violet revealed that she penned a letter to Suzanne the day before she died and asked the iconic actress to visit her as a yellow butterfly once she passed over.
“The day that I went to visit after she had passed, I walked out of the house and there was just this museum-level black and yellow butterfly,” Violet shared.
Camelia added, “If you were good at something, in her mind, you were the best. […] I grew up doing musical theater. We were all showing her a video of Lady Gaga and she looked at me and she said, ‘You’re better’ […].”
Suzanne Somers’ legacy lives on through her family, especially her granddaughters, Camelia and Violet. Through them, the actress’s memory continues to shine, reminding us of the lasting impact she had both on-screen and in her family’s hearts.