Susan Lucci

Susan Lucci is an American actress, television personality, and entrepreneur who is best known for her iconic portrayal of Erica Kane on the ABC daytime drama “All My Children.” Born on December 23, 1946, in Scarsdale, New York, to an Italian-American father and Swedish-German-American mother, she studied drama at Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York. Shortly after graduating in 1969, she was cast in the role that would define her career and become one of the longest-running characters in television history.

Lucci played Erica Kane on “All My Children” from 1970 until the show ended its network run in 2011, a remarkable span of 41 years. Her portrayal of the scheming, glamorous, and endlessly entertaining character made her the undisputed queen of daytime television. She became famous not only for her acting but also for her unprecedented losing streak at the Daytime Emmy Awards, where she was nominated 18 times for Outstanding Lead Actress before finally winning in 1999. Her eventual win became one of the most celebrated moments in awards show history, receiving a standing ovation that lasted several minutes.

Beyond “All My Children,” Lucci built a successful business empire that significantly contributed to her wealth. She launched a successful line of hair care and beauty products, a fragrance collection, and a fashion line on the Home Shopping Network that generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. She has also appeared in numerous television movies, hosted shows, and made guest appearances on popular series. Her autobiography “All My Life” became a bestseller.

Lucci was married to Austrian entrepreneur Helmut Huber from 1969 until his passing in 2022. The couple had two children, including daughter Liza Huber, who also pursued an acting career. At her peak, Lucci was reportedly earning over $1 million per year from “All My Children” alone, making her one of the highest-paid performers in daytime television history. With an estimated net worth of $80 million, her combination of decades-long television salary, business ventures, and endorsement deals has made her one of the wealthiest daytime television stars ever.