Podcast Summary: Susan Lucci — From Soap Opera Star to Widow and Everything in Between

Totally Booked with Zibby
Host: Zibby Owens
Guest: Susan Lucci
Date: February 6, 2026

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt episode, Zibby Owens sits down with Susan Lucci—legendary soap opera star, bestselling author, and philanthropist—to discuss Lucci's new memoir, La Lucci. Together, they explore the evolution of Susan’s life in the 15 years since her first memoir, including her enduring career, her experiences as a working mother, her deep family ties, and the profound grief following the loss of her husband, Helmut. Ever candid, Susan shares insights on resilience, authenticity, and continual self-reinvention, revealing the woman behind her iconic public persona.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why This Memoir, Why Now?

• Susan Lucci on the timing:
  • Susan’s previous memoir All My Life was written 15 years ago and reflected a very different point in her life.
  • "When I wrote it, the title was All My Life. And what I realized living these last 15 years is that was not all my life. A lot of events happened in my life, some sad, some devastating..." (06:49)
  • Susan now feels a greater freedom to be candid, and she wants to connect with readers by telling her story—not to teach, but to share.
  • "There are no teaching moments here. There's no teachable moments. ... I simply want to tell my story and tell the choices that I made." (08:16)

2. Family, Career, and Motherhood

• Susan reflects on balancing her demanding acting career with being present for her children.
  • She didn’t want her kids to miss out because of her work:
    • "I made sure I was there. And, yeah, it takes a lot of scheduling, a lot of planning, and a lot of help, you know, with your spouse to be on board with everything." (11:10)
  • Humorous, grounding moment: Susan shares a memory of her young son’s “brutal honesty” when only a few people recognized her at a restaurant:
    • "So out of all these people, only four people recognized you?" (09:54)
• Zibby and Susan bond over the challenges and logistics of parenting and working, affirming that it "takes a village" and constant recalibration.

3. Love, Loss, and Grief

• Susan opens up about the loss of her husband, Helmut, and the raw process of transforming grief into writing.
  • Writing became a source of comfort and processing, often triggered by sleepless nights:
    • "I would wake up in the middle of the night, and things were just pouring out of me. I had pen and paper next to my side of the bed, and I just needed to write it." (13:07)
  • The encouragement from author friends like Nelson DeMille played a pivotal role in her decision to write this new memoir.
• When asked about advice for others enduring pain:
  • "I don't think there is any such thing as a secret. Grief is so different for everyone. ... But I think we can all learn from each other. And I think just knowing that you're not alone in it..." (18:36)

4. Self-Care and Aging

• Zibby presses Susan for her skincare secrets and how she maintains her vibrance:
  • Susan credits a disciplined skincare regimen and emphasizes taking things “one day at a time.”
    • "The regimen is important to me. ... I am disciplined about that, and I think that's probably a key." (21:21)

5. The Reality Behind the Icon

• Susan discusses what longtime fans might be surprised to learn—her private self, distinct from the character Erica Kane she played for decades:
  • "I think that people who only know me as Erica Kane will be... [surprised]. ...My voice is more candid than they see." (24:14)
• Recording her own audiobook brought her even closer to the material:
  • "To actually be the one with the voice recording just kind of opened it up so much for me, too. I had fun recording." (25:22)

6. Perspective on Career and Artistic Pursuits

• For those inspired by her trajectory, Susan offers:
  • "Do what you love... get the best training you can. And if you really love it, you know, go for it. ...Don't be afraid. ...There are lots of ways to be in a certain field." (26:07)
  • She recalls the honor of having a New York City bus named after her and the message she left:
    • "Dream big and enjoy the ride." (27:09)

Memorable Quotes

• On authenticity & connection:

  • “I wanted people to hear my story and the choices that I have made in these important times, and it will connect us.” (07:57)

• On parenting and fame:

  • “So out of all these people, only four people recognized you?” — Susan’s son Andreas (09:54)

• On grief and hope:

  • “You can pick yourself up off the floor and take a step and find yourself again and find some hope again—it's possible. And when you see someone else do it, maybe you can read their story and relate to it and it can be of help to you.” (18:36)

• On career advice:

  • “Dream big and enjoy the ride.” (27:09)

Notable Segments with Timestamps

• [06:49] — Susan discusses the catalysts for her new memoir
• [09:54] — Humorous story about being recognized (or not) in public
• [13:07] — The experience of writing through grief after her husband’s death
• [18:36] — Susan’s reflections on the uniqueness of grief and healing
• [21:21] — Susan’s discipline in self-care and skincare
• [24:14] — On the difference between her private self and public image
• [26:07] — Advice for aspiring artists and those seeking a fulfilling path
• [27:09] — The “dream big and enjoy the ride” anecdote about the New York City bus

Summary Tone & Atmosphere

Warm, candid, and full of mutual admiration, this episode feels like an extended fireside chat. Susan Lucci gracefully navigates the bittersweet realities of loss, the fulfillment and stresses of fame and family, and the joy of ongoing reinvention. Zibby’s interviewing is open and relatable, pulling out both laughter and touching vulnerability.

This episode is rich with wisdom, stories, and honest admissions—offering listeners comfort, inspiration, and a deeply human glimpse beyond the glamour of daytime television. Whether you’re a longtime fan or newly acquainted with Susan Lucci, her story resonates as a testament to resilience, authenticity, and the continual evolution of self.