Suzanne Somers had been an open supporter of Donald Trump prior to her death.
The actress died on Sunday at the age of 76, according to a statement posted to her official Instagram account. She would have been 77 on Monday.
“Suzanne Somers passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of October 15th,” the statement read.
“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. 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.”
Newsweek reached out to Somers’ manager via email for additional comment.
In 2018, the Three’s Company star praised then-U.S. President Trump.
“I’m happy about him. I’m happy that the economy is doing so much better,” she said in a video to TMZ following Trump’s first year in office. “And now my career is over!” she laughed.
Previously, Somers said she wasn’t happy with Barack Obama‘s administration.
“This has been the most divisive of all the administrations that I’ve ever experienced in my lifetime,” she told Fox Business in 2014. “And it’s become divisive in the industry that if you’re not part of the group, you should probably keep your thoughts to yourself.”
The New York Times bestselling author has long been outspoken about politics. In 2012, Somers explained her thoughts on voting to HuffPost.
“My politics are very personal: I am an independent and vote the candidate, never the party,” she said at the time. “I am also an entrepreneur, and entrepreneurs made America the most exceptional and wealthiest country in the world, excelling in technology, science, medicine, physics, literature and, most of all, self-reliance and unbridled imagination.”
She said, “I love America and feel blessed to have been born into the greatest idea since the dawn of civilization.”
While Hollywood is often perceived as leaning left when it comes to politics, there have been plenty of celebrities who have praised Trump over the years including late actress Kirstie Alley, Jon Voight, Kid Rock, Roseanne Barr, Kelsey Grammer, and more.
Following Somers’ passing, stars expressed their shock and shared tributes.
“OH NO,” Real Housewives of New York City alum Bethenny Frankel wrote via Instagram.
“Sad so sad,” Goldie Hawn also wrote on Instagram, while Olivia Munn said, “Oh no” alongside a broken heart emoji.
Caitlyn Jenner, meanwhile, shared a throwback photo with Somers on her own Instagram account. “We lost a true American Icon today,” she captioned the image. “@suzannesomers you will be missed. It was always a pleasure and a riot working with you over the years! Here we are way back in the 70’s at Pepperdine with Howard! Rest in Peace.”
While Somers was best known for her role as Chrissy Snow on Three’s Company, she also made millions selling Thighmaster and wrote numerous books.