Susan Lucci wasn’t born into privilege. Raised by a nurse and a construction contractor, she excelled as a student and cheerleader, later studying drama at Marymount College.
She was a finalist in the Miss Universe pageant, but her father encouraged her to prioritize education over the crown. Her love for her late father remained strong. On social media, she shared touching tributes, celebrating his WWII service and life lessons. Despite personal setbacks—including miscarriages, her husband’s cancer, and the death of her father—Lucci pressed forward. In her 2011 memoir All My Life, she revealed these struggles, offering fans a glimpse behind the fame.
Lucci also battled heart disease. In 2019, she underwent emergency surgery for a 90% blocked artery, and in 2022, another procedure. Speaking out afterward, she urged women to listen to their bodies, crediting her husband Helmut Huber for encouraging her to seek care.
In 2022, Lucci lost Helmut, her husband of over 50 years. Calling him the “love of my life,” she admitted she wasn’t ready to date again but found strength in her fans and memories.
Even after loss, Lucci’s grace endures. At 76, she still stuns in photos, recently posting a beach video in a strapless swimsuit. Known best for playing Erica Kane on All My Children, Lucci remains a beloved icon of daytime television, her legacy built on talent, tenacity, and heart.