‘All My Children’ Star Susan Lucci Reveals Why She Refused to Sell Her Marital Home After Her Husband’s Death: ‘A Happy Place’

‘All My Children’ star Susan Lucci has opened up about her decision to keep her longtime home on Long Island even after her husband… Helmut Huberdied – while admitting that she loves that she still sees her husband ‘everywhere’ in the residence.

Lucci, 78 – whose memoir “La Lucci” hits shelves in February – and Huber lived in the 7,000-square-foot home for more than four decades, and it’s still filled with many “happy” memories the actress cherished after her husband’s death.

However, she has now admitted that when her husband died aged 84 in March 2022, she had debated leaving the property. Architectural summary that she was even thinking about “moving to the city.”

“After I lost my husband, I asked myself, ‘Should I sell and buy an apartment? Should I move to the city?’ Ultimately, I realized how much I appreciate this house,” Lucci, who bought the Garden City home in 1978, told the outlet.

Although she toyed with the idea of ​​leaving the space behind, she ultimately decided to stay in the house, but she undertook a complete renovation of the space.

“I see my husband everywhere, but in a good way. I decided to do it again and make it a happy place,” she explained.

When she made the decision to renovate the property, she called her old interior designer, Betty Barbatsulywho suggested involving her daughter, Lisa Richardsonwho is also a decorator.

“Susan wanted us to come look at her family room and kitchen to give it a fresh look, but then we went from room to room and the inspiration just kept going,” Richardson told the outlet.

Barbatsuly and Richardson performed a complete overhaul of the house, including the exterior.

The facade of the house now has blue shutters and white siding, which is also present in the family room.

Inside, the home features an open floor plan with a chef’s kitchen, charming breakfast area, and parlor.

“I really wanted to freshen everything up, with cleaner lines and no clutter. At the same time, I didn’t want it to look like an apartment in the city. This is a house from 1927,” Lucci said.

The actress was delighted when her decorator suggested keeping some of the same antique furniture in the property.

“She recognized the quality of things. I was about to auction off my mahogany Chippendale chairs, and I kept thinking, ‘Gosh, they’re so beautiful,'” Lucci said.

“Susan is sentimental about some things, and those would certainly remain. Those were taken into account in the planning,” said Barbatsuly, who has known the Hollywood star for four decades.

The exterior did not undergo any major changes to the structure of the house as it had been recently updated Paul Rice Architecture twenty years ago.

Barbatsuly and Richardson renovated the bathrooms and transformed the abandoned attic into a glamorous dressing room.

“It takes up the entire third floor, so I can store all my dresses in a very orderly manner. It makes me smile when I walk up there,” Lucci said.

“She is so nice to work with. We have to become good friends. I think it was very difficult when she thought about selling her [this house]. You just couldn’t do that,” Barbatsuly said.

Huber, who married Lucci in 1969, died in March 2022 at the age of 84.

“He was a family man, a loyal friend and loved them dearly. With a rip-roaring sense of humor, a larger-than-life personality and a practical problem solver, he lived his life to the fullest. Mr. Huber, who used to race motorcycles in Austria, was a top-notch skier and avid golfer, belonging to Garden City Golf Club and Westhampton Country Club,” a family representative said. People at the time.

In addition to Lucci, Huber is survived by two sons, two daughters, his brother, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

“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 requests privacy during this incredibly difficult time,” Lucci’s publicist said. Jessica Sciacchitanosaid a statement.

Before becoming a TV producer, Hubert was an acclaimed chef.