Actress Susan Lucci proved once again that age is just a number as she stepped out in New York City this week looking effortlessly radiant at 79.
The All My Children icon was spotted outside ABC Studios on February 3, wrapped in a plush, pastel pink teddy coat that instantly brightened the grey Manhattan sidewalk. The knee-length statement piece, worn over a sleek black ensemble, added softness and glamour in equal measure.
She paired the look with classic pointed nude heels and delicate gold jewellery, while her glossy, honey-toned hair fell in voluminous layers around her shoulders.
Her makeup was fresh and luminous, highlighting her famously flawless complexion. With a bright smile and signature poise, Susan looked closer to her Emmy-winning heyday than someone approaching her eighth decade.
For 41 years, Susan portrayed the indomitable Erica Kane on All My Children, becoming one of daytime television's most recognisable faces. Between 1978 and 2002, she received 21 Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress, finally winning in 1999 after 18 losses – a television moment still considered one of soap opera's most satisfying victories.
But beyond the glamour and accolades, Susan has endured profound personal loss. In 2022, her husband of 52 years, Helmut Huber, died at 84, one month after suffering a stroke. The Austrian-born chef and hotelier had been, as she has described, her "rock" through decades of fame – and her devoted date to nearly every Emmy ceremony.
Reflecting on his death, Susan has admitted she was "completely lost." "The minute I fell in love like I did with my husband, I knew how vulnerable I was," she shared. "When he died, I was completely lost."
In her new memoir La Lucci, released on February 3, Susan reflected on finding signs of her husband in her daily life even after his death. During a talk she gave at The 92NY, which HELLO! attended as well, she also spoke about also setting his coffee cup each morning as a coping mechanism, and throwing herself into renovating her home to find a project to keep herself busy and rediscover her joy.
Whether coincidence or comfort, the experiences have helped her feel connected to the love of her life. Today, Susan lives on Long Island near her two children, Andreas and Liza, and continues to embrace new chapters with grace.