Susan Lucci's Love Story With Helmut Huber: A Journey Of 52 Years

Let me tell you a story about an incredible love that lasted over five decades. Susan Lucci, the beloved soap opera icon, lost her husband of 52 years, Helmut Huber, on March 28, 2022. Helmut passed away peacefully at their home in New York at the age of 84. Susan, understandably, was heartbroken by the loss but has been honoring Helmut’s memory in touching ways ever since. Here's a closer look at their beautiful love story that inspired so many. Keep reading to learn more about their incredible journey together.

How Susan Lucci and Helmut Huber Met: A Summer Romance That Lasted a Lifetime

Back in the summer of 1965, Susan and Helmut's paths crossed in the most unexpected way. Susan, just 18 at the time, was working as a waitress at the Garden City Hotel in Long Island, New York, after finishing her freshman year of college. Helmut, a talented chef, was working at the same hotel. Now, here’s the kicker—Helmut, originally from Austria, was smitten with Susan the moment he laid eyes on her. In a 1999 interview with People, Helmut recalled, “The first time I saw Susie, it hit me. Even today, she walks into a room, and I just light up.”

But here’s the twist—Susan wasn’t exactly available at the time. She was seeing someone else, a man she planned to marry. Still, Helmut didn’t let that deter him. He made a bold impression on Susan’s family during her engagement party in 1968, which happened to take place at the same hotel where they met. Helmut was visiting friends at the hotel and ended up meeting Susan’s parents. Legend has it, he leaned over to Susan’s mom and said, “This thing between Susie and this boy is never going to last.” Susan later found out about this bold prediction and, as it turns out, Helmut was spot on.

Read also:

Melanie Griffith Celebrates Son Alexanders Birthday With Heartwarming Instagram Post

Fast forward a few months, and Susan ended things with her fiancé, paving the way for her and Helmut to begin dating. The couple tied the knot on September 13, 1969, just a year before Susan made her debut as Erica Kane on ABC's All My Children. Helmut was Susan’s rock through it all. He supported her as she portrayed Erica Kane for an incredible 41 years, until the show ended in 2011. He was there for Susan through all the ups and downs, including her record-breaking 20 Daytime Emmy Award losses and, of course, her triumphant win in 1999 after 18 years of trying.

When Helmut passed away, a representative for Susan spoke on her behalf, saying, “Helmut’s passing is a tremendous loss for all who knew and loved him. He was an extraordinary husband, father, grandfather, and friend. The family kindly asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult time.”

In a heartfelt interview on Today in February 2023, Susan opened up about coping with Helmut's death. “It’s awful, he was great,” she said. “If he hadn’t been so good, it would be a lot easier. But he was the love of my life, and he was spectacular. And so, coping and dealing, that’s what you do. You put one foot in front of the other and you try to just do the best you can, and that’s what I’m doing.”

A Family Legacy: Susan Lucci and Helmut Huber's Children

Susan and Helmut’s love story didn’t just stop at their marriage; they built a beautiful family together. Their first child, daughter Liza Huber, was born in 1975, followed by their son, Andreas Huber, a few years later. Liza followed in her mom’s footsteps by starring in the NBC soap opera Passions, but eventually retired from acting in 2008 to focus on her family and her four children.

In a 2015 interview with Closer, Susan revealed a harrowing moment early in their marriage when Helmut literally saved her life. While skiing in Tignes Le Lac, France, shortly after their wedding, Susan fell off a ski lift. She was sliding down the mountain with nothing to grab onto. Thankfully, Helmut, an experienced skier, came to her rescue. “He schussed down below me and managed to stop my fall. It was a good sign that he saved me. Otherwise, I would have fallen thousands of feet off a cliff!” Susan recalled, adding, “I got a good one!” After more than 50 years of love and laughter, she sure did.