SAD NEWS! After announcing he has cancer, Rogers confirms his departure from DOOL Days of our lives
In a twist that feels like something straight out of Days of Our Lives itself, Suzanne Rogers — the heart and soul behind Maggie Horton Kiriakis — has confirmed her exit from the long-running daytime drama following her recent cancer diagnosis. For fans who have followed her journey for over five decades, this revelation isn’t just another headline. It’s a heartbreak, a moment that cuts deep into the very heart of Salem’s legacy. But if there’s one thing Suzanne Rogers has taught viewers through Maggie’s strength and grace, it’s that every ending in Salem may just be the beginning of another extraordinary chapter.
A Heartbreaking Announcement That Shook Salem
The news first broke quietly, almost tenderly — a soft confession from an actress who has given her life to the craft. Suzanne Rogers revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer, a moment that sent shockwaves through her loyal fanbase. The beloved actress, who joined Days of Our Lives back in 1973, has always been a symbol of resilience — both on screen and off.
Her portrayal of Maggie Horton transformed what could have been a simple supporting role into one of the most emotionally rich and enduring characters in soap history. Over the years, fans have watched Maggie rise from humble beginnings on a farm to become the emotional cornerstone of the Kiriakis family, guiding Salem’s most powerful players through heartbreak, scandal, and redemption.
When Rogers revealed her health battle, it felt as though the foundations of Days itself trembled. For millions of viewers, Maggie isn’t just a character — she’s family.
“I Need Time to Heal” — Suzanne’s Brave Decision
After sharing her diagnosis, Suzanne stunned everyone with another announcement: she would be stepping away from the show she’s called home for over fifty years.
“It wasn’t a decision made lightly,” she said in an emotional message to fans. “I need time to heal fully, to focus on my health, and to spend precious moments with my loved ones. This isn’t goodbye — it’s just a pause.”
The Days of Our Lives team, including executive producer Ken Corday and co-executive producer Albert Alarr, have shown nothing but love and support. Behind the scenes, they reportedly worked tirelessly to ensure Maggie’s exit storyline honors both Suzanne’s health and Maggie’s legacy.
Sources say the writers have crafted an emotional arc that will give Maggie a fitting, dignified sendoff — one filled with the same warmth, wisdom, and quiet strength that Rogers has embodied for decades.
The Outpouring of Love from the Days Family
Within hours of the announcement, social media was flooded with heartfelt messages from fans, co-stars, and fellow soap legends. The hashtag #SuzanneStrong began trending as viewers shared personal stories about how Maggie’s strength had inspired them through their own battles.
Castmates like Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Brady) and Stephen Nichols (Steve “Patch” Johnson) shared memories from set, recalling Suzanne’s kindness and humor even during the most grueling filming days.
“She’s the heart of our show,” Evans said tearfully in an interview. “Every scene she’s in feels grounded — real. There’s no Days of Our Lives without Maggie.”
Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark) echoed that sentiment: “Suzanne has this incredible light about her. Even on the darkest days, she reminds us what resilience really means.”
The Days studio became a family vigil of love and unity. Phone calls, care packages, and messages poured in — not out of obligation, but out of deep, genuine affection for the woman who has been the emotional matriarch of Salem, both on and off camera.
A Legacy Written in Salem’s Sands
Suzanne Rogers’ journey on Days of Our Lives began in 1973, when she first appeared as Maggie Simmons — a young farm girl with a heart full of dreams. Her storylines over the years have touched nearly every corner of Salem’s ever-twisting web.
From her romance with Mickey Horton to her later marriage to Victor Kiriakis, Maggie’s life has been marked by triumphs, tragedies, and transformations. She’s battled addiction, loss, and betrayal, yet always returned stronger than before. Through every resurrection, time jump, and devil possession in Salem, Maggie remained its moral compass — a voice of compassion and hope in a town too often consumed by chaos.
Rogers’ performance has earned her a Daytime Emmy Award, countless nominations, and the enduring love of fans around the globe. Her emotional honesty, quiet strength, and ability to bring vulnerability to even the most melodramatic moments elevated Days beyond soap tropes and into heartfelt storytelling.
Courage, Grace, and a Triumphant Recovery
Thankfully, the story doesn’t end in tragedy. After months of treatment and rest, Suzanne Rogers has shared an update that brought joy and relief to millions: she is officially cancer-free.
Her radiant smile in recent interviews says it all — the same spark that made Maggie Horton unforgettable still shines just as bright. “I feel stronger every day,” she said. “I’ve been blessed with incredible doctors, a loving support system, and the most loyal fans I could ever ask for.”
This moment isn’t just about survival. It’s a testament to Suzanne’s strength — the same strength she’s channeled into Maggie for decades. It’s the ultimate parallel between actress and character: two women who never stopped fighting, even when the odds were against them.
What Comes Next for Maggie and Suzanne?
While Rogers is officially stepping away, the door to Salem will always remain open for her return. Executive producer Ken Corday has confirmed that Maggie’s story will be left unfinished — a deliberate choice to ensure that, when Suzanne is ready, Maggie can once again walk into the Horton living room with that iconic, knowing smile.
In the meantime, Maggie’s absence will be deeply felt in Salem. Her departure will ripple through the Kiriakis family and beyond — from the fallout in Victor’s empire to her emotional connection with Brady Black and the younger Hortons. Expect Days to honor Maggie’s influence with powerful moments of remembrance and reflection.
A Goodbye That Feels Like a Love Letter
For fans, Suzanne Rogers isn’t just a performer — she’s a living symbol of what makes Days of Our Lives timeless. Her courage in facing illness publicly, her grace in choosing healing over fame, and her enduring devotion to her craft have only deepened the love her audience feels for her.
In true Days fashion, this isn’t “goodbye.” It’s simply a pause in an extraordinary story — one written in resilience, love, and legacy.
And just like the hourglass that opens every episode, we know the sands will shift again. Because in Salem, and in life, hope never truly fades.
💔✨ “Through Maggie, I’ve learned that even when life changes, love never ends,” Suzanne once said. And for Days fans everywhere, that sentiment will echo long after she takes her final bow — a bittersweet reminder that some stories never really end.