Susan from ‘Eight Is Enough’ Lives in Old Trailer — She Still Beams after 3 Strokes Claiming She Was Kidnapped

• “Eight Is Enough” star Susan Richardson has experienced unfortunate misfortunes throughout her life.
• The TV actress suffered from three strokes, believed she had been kidnapped, and now lives in a trailer, having to dumpster dive to get by at times.
• Despite her poor living conditions and quality of life, Richardson is a ferociously strong woman and continues to persevere.

Susan Richardson is best known for her unforgettable role as Susan Bradford in the popular ’70s/’80s sitcom “Eight Is Enough.” The series plot follows the dynamic antics of a family of 10 and the rambunctious ways of the parents’ eight children – Mary, David, Joanie, Nancy, Elizabeth, Susan, Tommy, and Nicholas Bradford. The father, Tom Bradford, is a columnist for a Californian newspaper, while the mom, Joan Bradford, was a homemaker.

After the mother’s passing, the father then goes on to marry a school teacher by the name of Abby Abbott, and the family is whole again after this union. During the series, the kids develop their own sense of independence, getting into all sorts of new explorations, like relationships and friendships. The sitcom was based on a book with the same title, written by an actual real-life columnist, Thomas Braden, who raised eight children in real life.

The death of the Bradford mom was actually written into the script because of the real-life tragic passing of Diana Hyland, who played Joan Bradford. At the time, Hyland was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer and, unfortunately, had succumbed to the illness.

An actress named Betty Buckley, who played the school teacher, Abby Abbott, then joined the cast in the show’s second season after the tragedy took place. Abbott started tutoring one of the Bradford sons, and Tom (the dad) and she fell in love and got married.

The series later developed into a spinoff movie franchise, including “Eight Is Enough: A Family Reunion” in 1987 and “An Eight Is Enough Wedding” in 1989. The show also centered around the development of the children, and they all went on to accomplish career and personal feats throughout the show. In the end, Richardson’s character gets married to a professional baseball player, Merle Stockwell.

Richardson’s acting talents were first discovered in 1973 when phenomenal director, George Lucas, offered her a part in the film “American Graffiti.” On the movie set, Richardson met fellow actor Ron Howard, and shortly after, the actress scored another role on the ever-classic show “Happy Days.”

After her roles in “Happy Days” and “Eight Is Enough,” Richardson made several noteworthy appearances before living a life of seclusion in Pennsylvania. She was seen in “Battle of the Network Stars,” “The $20,000 Pyramid,” “Password Plus,” “Match Game,” “The Runaways,” “Fantasy Island,” “One Day at a Time,” and “Soldiers of Innocence.”

On March 15, 1978, Richardson married Michael Virden. The couple was married for a total of five years and had one child – Sarah Virden, before divorcing on August 12, 1983.

Currently, she is single and lives alone. Outside of her stint on “Eight Is Enough” and following her appearance in other series and films mentioned previously, Richardson’s personal life had taken a turn for the worse.

While filming “Eight Is Enough,” Richardson became pregnant. Her pregnancy got written into the plot of the show as she had gained 90 pounds during production. According to several sources, the “Soldiers of Innocence” star had felt increased pressure from the show’s executives to lose all her baby weight.

This external pressure prompted Richardson to start abusing drugs in an effort to lose the weight. Allegedly, the “Battle of the Network Stars” talent started to fear that her weight gain had begun to place her career in jeopardy, which compelled her to start using.

After wrapping up her time on the show, the “Fantasy Island” actress’s tailbone got severely injured at a concert. Following that incident, in a 2013 interview, Richardson had disclosed the fact that she was essentially living as a recluse in a trailer that had no heat.

The former actress had also revealed that she had been diagnosed with diabetes and had suffered from three mini-strokes. To add insult to injury, Richardson had also lost all of her teeth as a result of digestive issues. Despite her brief mention of pursuing her creative endeavors in the form of writing children’s books, little has been heard from the actress since her acting heydays.

While filming the final reunion episode of “Eight is Enough,” Richardson had asserted what was described as a “disturbing,” “bizarre” claim. She believed that she was kidnapped and held hostage by Korean filmmakers.

Skepticism and doubt about the actress’s allegation started to damage her career, and “The Runaways” star had endured a nervous breakdown. Despite the doubt and skepticism, Richardson still insisted that the allegation was, in fact, true:

“They had a lot of insurance policies out on me, and they tried to blow me up in a church.”

Later that same year (1987), Richardson filed a federal lawsuit alleging that she had been lured into the kidnapping by being made a false offer to make a movie in South Korea. She then claimed that once there, she had been held against her will and sedated.

Though she confirmed that she understood that she was brought to the country to make a film, the actress claimed to be told that the film would be about lost children. However, it ended up being a war film where she and many children were allegedly forced to work near live ammunition. Richardson said she was injured by an explosion that destroyed a church during a scene where she was set to appear.

According to the former actress, the whole kidnapping was a conspiracy orchestrated by the film company members. The suit also alleged that her passport was taken, and she was kept sedated in a non-English speaking small rural area hotel.

Though she claims that she was able to escape on her own accord, eventually, Richardson stated that due to bribery by her boss’ associates and interference between the American embassy workers and the Korean National Police, she had received no help. After the intervention of an attorney hired by her mother, she said she was able to leave the country.

Richardson is left as one of eight surviving “Eight Is Enough” cast members. Though the actress has seen some extremely challenging times, she has made it through and continues to make the best of her current situation.

Richardson’s life today looks devastatingly different than it did during the time when she was at the pinnacle of her career. The previous acting talent has endured a life riddled with an array of medical problems. As previously mentioned, she was diagnosed with diabetes and suffered from three mini-strokes after her acting pursuits stopped.

Additionally, the “Password Plus” talent lost her teeth due to problems with her digestion, now weighs a worryingly mere 60 pounds, battles with a rare esophagus disorder, and has seen drastic financial hardships. Now living in a brokedown rotting trailer with no heat, Richardson divulges:

“I had a series of mini-strokes. Then I discovered I had a rare disorder that made my esophagus go spastic. [Regarding my trailer], there’s always something wrong with it. I desperately need a new trailer, but I can’t afford it.”

In an interview with Inside Edition, Richardson had shared that her trailer does not come inclusive with even the most basic entertainment amenities. Quite often, she finds herself dumpster diving at nearby camping grounds for second-hand goods for her home.

As mentioned, Richardson suffers from an esophagus ailment called Achalasia, the same sickness that plagued her entire family until their demise. At times the condition is so severe that she struggles to eat nutritious meals and has to resort to using a feeding tube for 16 hours a day. Her life has been nothing short of challenging, and Richardson shared the following heartbreaking news:

“My mom died in ’14, my little sister died in ’15, [and] my father just died in ’16, all from the same anomaly. [It’s been] a really rough time, honey. I had three strokes. Eight years ago, they told me I wouldn’t be here – I’m here!”

Richardson is one of the last surviving few from the “Eight Is Enough cast.” Despite being informed by medical professionals that she would not live as long as she has, Richardson is still alive and defying those odds today, although a few of her castmates were not so lucky.

Adam Rich, who played the sweet little innocent character of Nicholas Bradford, tragically passed away at age 54 earlier this year. After leaving the showbiz industry, Rich became a mental health advocate.

Another “Eight Is Enough” co-star, Lani O’Grady, who played Mary Bradford, had also lived a tough life, battling agoraphobia and memory blackouts. As a result, she had to retire from her acting career and shortly after tried out as a talent agent.

Additionally, O’Grady was battling with a panic disorder and admitted to having a drug and alcohol dependency. In 2001, the actress sadly passed away from an overdose.

Hyland, as already mentioned, had passed away due to complications from her breast cancer diagnosis. Dick Van Patten, who played Tom Bradford, tragically died on June 23, 2015, from diabetes complications.

Richardson is left as one of eight surviving “Eight Is Enough” cast members. Though the actress has seen some extremely challenging times, she has made it through and continues to make the best of her current situation.

Today, Richardson spends her time illustrating children’s books, one of which has already been published – “Really Loose Mother Goose.” She also plays the piano and still enjoys interacting with the occasional fan that pops up and sends her cards wishing her well. To the doctors that claimed she would not live a long life, Richardson has one thing to say:

“Eight years ago, doctors said I wouldn’t be here, and I’m here.”

Richardson is still fondly remembered by fans who loved her on “Eight Is Enough.” In addition to the frequent get-well cards she receives, many fans have taken to social media to voice their loving opinions of the former actress. A Twitter user affectionately pointed out that he had a crush on Richardson on the show:

” ‘Eight Is Enough.’ I had a huge crush on Susan Richardson.”

Many fans also shared endearing pictures and memories of the red-headed beauty, recalling how charming she was on the show. One commentator, in particular, revealed that she was once neighbors with Richardson:

“I was neighbors in a trailer park with Susan Richardson from ‘Eight Is Enough.’ “

Though not much is known about Richardson’s daughter Virden, nor the status of their relationship, nor Virden’s whereabouts, occupation, marital status, etc., Richardson still makes sure to maintain contact with old friends and her fans. She has even made a few critter friends, like squirrels who find their way into the “Eight Is Enough: A Family Reunion” star’s campground residence.

Richardson has been through a lot since being cast on “Eight Is Enough.” She has seen the worst of her days and still managed to overcome them through endurance and tenacity. Although her current lifestyle is by no means ideal, the former acting talent has learned to roll with the punches and still manages to find some joy in the life that she leads.