Susan Lucci shares that her faith was her ‘saving grace’ following the heartbreaking loss of her husband

Susan Lucci on Coping with Loss and Finding Hope

Susan Lucci has opened up about her struggles following the death of her husband, Helmut Huber, who passed away in 2022 after suffering a stroke. They had shared over 50 years together, a bond that Lucci reflects on in her new book, “La Lucci.” It discusses her grief and the journey to rebuilding her life.

At 79, Lucci admitted to FOX News Digital that navigating life on her own has been challenging for the first time since she was 22, when she married Huber in 1969. She expressed doubt about her ability to carry on without him, saying, “I didn’t know if I could stand up or even put one foot in front of the other without him.”

Lucci recounted how lost she felt after Huber’s passing, noting that in the wake of his death, she felt unsure of herself and her future. “I didn’t even remember what I was doing before,” she admitted. “I didn’t think. I didn’t care. I didn’t even think about stepping on stage or in front of a camera again.”

She had been with Huber for eight months before they got married and together they raised two children, Lisa and Andreas. After his death, Lucci withdrew from public appearances for several months, a stark contrast to the strong character she played on screen, Erica Kane.

“It looked nothing like me,” she reminisced about her state of mind at the time. “But I just couldn’t do it. I’ve always tried to live life fully, but I felt really lost. I’ve been a happy person for as long as I can remember. How can I find that part of myself again?”

In reflecting on her journey, Lucci mentioned that faith became her saving grace. When she felt despair, she turned to prayer. She shared a poignant memory of Monsignor Jim Vran, who supported her during her husband’s last days and performed his last rites. His presence brought comfort during a very dark time for Lucci.

“I didn’t know that faith could save me,” she said. “Monsignor Vran was always cheerful, and I needed that. I couldn’t believe I had to say the word ‘funeral.’ I wanted to see Helmut walk back through the door.”

A few weeks after the funeral, Lucci sought out Vran again, asking him whether he believed in an afterlife. His response, affirming that they would recognize one another, deeply touched her. “That really made an impression on me,” she recalled, which sparked her journey to trust in a life beyond.

Gradually, Lucci started to rediscover joy. She engaged in projects around the house, activities she had previously done with Huber, which helped her realize she could navigate this new chapter in her life. She mentioned how friends brought laughter back into her world.

Reflecting on her experience, Lucci noted, “I realized that even though my husband was gone, I was still here. I was given this wonderful gift of life.”

She also expressed that she had never turned her anger toward God after Huber’s passing. “It’s a part of the grieving process, but I realized this was God’s divine plan. Helmut came into my life, and we were happy together,” she shared.

As she moves forward, Lucci is determined to share her story, showing others that they are not alone in their experiences with love and loss. “Like everyone else, I’ve experienced these very human feelings,” she said. “I want people to know they aren’t alone. Sometimes sharing can bring us together.”

Although the pain of losing Huber lingers, Lucci finds moments of happiness by recalling their life together. When asked what she misses most about him, her answer was simple and heartfelt: “Everything.”