Susan Lucci possesses the ability to demand attention.
On Wednesday night in New York City, the 77-year-old “All My Children” alumna showed off her skills on the red carpet at the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Red Dress Collection event.
Lucci donned a strapless red dress that complemented the red carpet and event’s logo. They apired the silver jewelry adorned with the mermaid-style design, which included feathers on its underside.
After experiencing her own cardiac arrest, Lucci tells PEOPLE exclusively that attending this event is her “passion project” and the reason she thought it was vital. “I came out of it knowing that I just had to pass my good luck on,” she explains.
The actress also recalled that her cardiologist had told her that she didn’t have to carry on with her work with the American Heart Association in order to raise awareness, but Lucci believed that it was essential.
“I was unable to retain that fortunate situation for myself. I was unable to,” she says to PEOPLE.
Every year, Lucci, an advocate for the American Heart Association, shows up for the annual event. However, in 2019, while walking the runway, she tripped and fell in her red dress. The soap opera actress, however, laughed it all off as she strutted the catwalk in a red, strapless, hand-draped matte lasse ballgown by Rubin Singer.
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Lucci has a strong commitment to her work with the American Heart Association, particularly after suffering from a heart attack in 2018. The celebrity talked to PEOPLE in 2023 about excruciating chest issues she had but dismissed since she didn’t think she needed to address them. She said, “I didn’t want to bother the cardiologist,” at that moment.
The major artery leading to her heart was 90% blocked, as seen by a scan. She said, “I didn’t realize how close I came to a fatal heart attack.”
After discovering that her ailment was genetic “hereditary from my dad’s side”, medical professionals implanted two stents”, she explained. “It’s important for everyone to know their family history,” stated Lucci.
