Ann Limongello/ABC/Everett Collection; Stephanie Augello/Getty
Susan Lucci, beloved for her portrayal ofErica KaneonAll My Childrenfor more than four decades, has lived a life defined by professional triumphs and personal milestones. Her enduring marriage toHelmut Huber, which lasted 53 years until his death in 2022, was just as much a cornerstone of her remarkable story as her soap star legacy.
In recent years, Lucci has overcome significant health challenges,including two heart procedures, yet her resilience remains unwavering. To this day, she continues to expand her acting repertoire, going beyond her soap opera roots and appearing inJonah Hill's upcoming crime dramaOutcomealongsideKeanu ReevesandCameron Diaz.
As we reflect on Lucci's remarkable journey on- and off-screen, her most memorable moments offer a vivid tapestry of her personal life and contributions to television. Celebrate Susan Lucci — who releases her memoirLa Luccion Feb. 3, 2026 — with this curated collection of photos that capture the essence of her life and career.
Susan Lucci's Early Career
Lucci, born Dec. 23, 1946, got her big break with the role of Erica Kane onAll My Childrenin 1970 (for which this portrait was taken). She would go on toplay the role for 41 yearsuntil the show ended in 2011.
Tom Cudahy and Erica Kane Say "I Do"
The actress had many memorable moments onAll My Children, including 11 weddings (if you count her remarriages to the same men and one vow renewal). Here's one from 1978, to Richard Shoberg's Tom Cudahy ...
Erica Kane Marries Adam Chandler
… a 1984 wedding to Adam Chandler (David Canary) …
Erica Kane's Wedding to Travis Montgomery
… a 1988 wedding to Travis Montgomery (Larkin Malloy) …
Erica Kane and Dimitri Marick Tie the Knot
… and a 1993 wedding (her first of two) to Dimitri Marick (played by the lateMichael Nader), which Lucci counts as one of her favorites.
"We did a traditional ceremonywith lots and lots of candles," she told PEOPLE of the lavish Russian Orthodox nuptials. "It was very beautiful."
Susan Lucci's Marriage to Helmet Huber
Susan Lucci/Instagram
Life doesn't imitate art for Lucci, though: She had been married to Huber since 1969. "Throwback to mid 70's/before babies—Dancing with my handsome husband at Club A!!! SO much fun!!!" shecaptioned this picon Instagram in January 2019.
Three years later, in March 2022, Huber died peacefully on Long Island, N.Y., at 84.
"My husband, Helmet Huber,was a larger-than-life force of nature," Lucci said in a heartfelt speech honoring Huber at the Daytime Emmy Awards that June. "He was a confident caregiver who knew exactly how to make things happen and to keep us all laughing at the same time. Helmut loved and was so proud of our magnificent children and our grandchildren."
"They say that grief is the price we pay for love. Well, grief is an excruciating price, but I would not give up even one second of the love," she concluded.
A Vision of Elegance
In 1978, Lucci (pictured here presenting) received her first Daytime Emmy nomination for outstanding lead actress in a drama series. She would legendarily go on to be nominated 21 times, with one win in 1999.
Cherished Moments with Her Little Ones
Susan Lucci/Instagram
The star (pictured here in the mid-'70s) is also a proud mom toson Andreas Huber and daughter Liza Huber.
Long Island Days
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She has shared sweet throwback photos of herself with her children, whom she raised in Garden City on Long Island, N.Y., near her childhood home. (According toThe New York Times, she also met her husband when he was a chef and she was a waitress at the Garden City Hotel!)
Like Mother, Like Daughter
Susan Lucci/Instagram
Daughter Liza would go on to become an actress as well, starring in the daytime soapPassions.
Lights, Camera, Comedy!
The actress got a chance to hostSaturday Night Livein 1990.
Red Carpet Icons Meet
Legends only!Joan Rivers,Marla Maplesand Lucci posed with a romance cover model at a party in 1995.
Shining Bright at the Emmys
Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
As a nominee for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Lucci attended the 1997 Emmy Awards, two years before she'd finally take home the trophy in that same category.
Patience Pays Off
Her streak-busting win in 1999 not only landed her that coveted Emmy — she also nabbed the cover of PEOPLE! (Andthe gown she worefor the cover is now in the Smithsonian.)
A Family Affair
Above, Lucci gets cheeky with her husband and son at the 2002 Daytime Emmy Awards.
Singing for Hope
The star combined her love of performing and philanthropy at a Broadway benefit for hurricane relief in 2005. It wasn't her first time on the Broadway stage: She also starred in the revival ofAnnie Get Your Gunin December 1999/January 2000!
Waltzing Into Our Hearts
In 2008, Luccicompeted on season 7ofDancing with the Starswith partnerTony Dovolani, finishing sixth. In her exit speech, she said, "I feel so much gratitude for the opportunity to have this particular experience in my lifetime."
10,000 Episodes of Pine Valley Magic
Also in 2008, Lucci helped the cast ofAll My Childrenring in their 10,000th episode — and it marked a milestone for her as well when she joined the rarefied club of soap opera stars who played their character for more than 40 years.
A New Role, A New Spotlight
All My Children's cancellation didn't slow Lucci down one bit. In 2013, she landed recurring roles on shows includingHot in ClevelandandDevious Maids(pictured).
Celebrating Love
Susan Lucci/Instagram
Since the end ofAll My Children, Lucci has taken on several new roles off-screen, including mother of the groom (seen here at her son Andreas' wedding in 2016).
Five Decades of Devotion
In 2017, after more than 50 years of marriage, Lucci revealed the simple secret to her happy marriage to Huber, telling PEOPLE, "He still makes me laugh, lucky me."
Four Generations of Family
Susan Lucci/Instagram
Lucci is also a grandmother to five, including her first grandchild, Royce, with whom she shares a birthday. In 2018, the actressposted a sweet photo on Instagram of Royceas a newborn with mom Liza and Lucci's mother, Jeanette,who died in 2021at 104.
Beautiful at Every Age
Susan Lucci/Instagram
In 2018, the star, then 72, made a serious splash when she wasphotographed in a strapless red one-piecein Barbados. The internet buzz was so big that she ended upposing in the above black swimsuit forHarper's Bazaarthat year. And though she works hard to stay in shape, she says a lot of her ageless appearance is due to her mindset.
"People look at me and say, 'Wow, she doesn't seem old, but she is old,' " she told PEOPLE. "Meanwhile, the reality is if you're strong, you're beautiful, no matter what age you are."
Championing Heart Health with Style
The star (pictured here at the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Red Dress Collection fashion show in 2020) is also a big advocate for heart disease education, after discovering a 90 percent blockage in one of her arteries in 2018 despite her daily exercise regimen and healthy diet.
"I want to do some good with what I've been through," Lucci told PEOPLE. "If I can help in any real way, I want to. Everyone's symptoms are different, but I felt compelled to share mine. Even if it's one person I help, that's someone's life."
Sharing Life's Best Moments
Susan Lucci/Instagram
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the actress found time to dress up,sharing many of her fun, at-home ensembleson Instagram — including this dazzling silver sequin number from 2020.
Stunning at 75
Lucci celebrated her 75th birthday by the ocean back in December 2021, donning a favorite strapless white swimsuit paired with a patterned sarong. "Mm-mmm ocean view/sea breezes," shecaptioned a January 2022 Instagram video.
Heartfelt Resilience
Jamie McCarthy/Getty
In March 2023, Lucci, then 76, shared that she was "doing really well" following her second heart surgery in four years. "I always keep an eye on myself, what's going on," she told PEOPLE exclusively on the carpet of New York City's Edison Ballroom at the 75th Writers Guild Awards.
A Legendary Honor
Kevin Winter/Getty
On Dec. 15, 2023, at the 50th Daytime Emmy Awards, the actress received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. She also used her emotional acceptance speech to honor her late husband, crediting him as a guiding force in her career.
"The icing on the cake tonight is that my son, Andreas, is with me. It means so much to me to have you here with me," Lucci said. "I feel your dad's presencehere with us tonight too. I thank my husband, Helmet Huber, because he has everything to do with me standing up here tonight and receiving this incredible award."
Radiates in Red
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty
In January 2024, the soap icon graced the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Red Dress Collection event in New York City. For the special evening, shewore a sparkling strapless red mermaid-style gownadorned with red feathers and silver jewelry.
Runway Chic
Daniele Schiavello/Gorunway.com
Luccihit the runwayat the New York Fashion Week in September 2024, closing Dennis Basso's Spring/Summer 2025 show in a pastel green gown with a strapless pleated bodice and translucent cape-like shawl. The moment was even more special as the actress was there to celebrate her 30-year friendship with the fashion designer.
Susan Lucci's Memoir 'La Lucci'
On Feb. 3, 2026, the soap opera actress released her new memoirLa Lucci, a follow-up to her 2011 bookAll My Life. The book features never-before-heard stories from her nearly six decades in the industry, as well as reflections on love and grief following the death of her husband.
"I keep a pen and paper next to my side of the bed in case I get an idea or in case I have to write something down so I don't keep rolling it around and memorizing it, so I could sleep," she told PEOPLE in aFebruary 2026 cover story. "And in this case, I started waking up and things just started pouring out of me."
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