Susanna Lee Hoffs was born on January 17, 1959, in Los Angeles, California, to film director/writer/producer Tamar Ruth (née Simon) and Joshua Allen Hoffs, a psychoanalyst. She grew up in a creative environment, surrounded by writers, thinkers, painters, and filmmakers, with an ever-present soundtrack of 60s music.

Susanna Hoffs attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she studied dance, theatre, and art. Stirred by punk rock and new wave, she started her first band with David Roback (Mazzy Star) while at UC Berkeley.

In 1981, she co-founded the Bangles with Debbi Peterson and Vicki Peterson. Their debut album, "All Over the Place" (1984), received critical acclaim but sold poorly.

Their second album, "Different Light" (1986), was warmly received by critics and featured hits like "Manic Monday" and "Walk Like an Egyptian". The Bangles' third album, "Everything" (1988), included the US top ten charting "In Your Room" and number one "Eternal Flame," both co-written by Susanna.

She was lead vocalist on five of the Bangles' seven singles, contributing to the public perception that she was the group's lead singer, even though all four members shared lead vocal duties.

Following tensions and the stress of touring, the band split in 1989 but reformed in 1999, releasing albums "Doll Revolution" (2003) and "Sweetheart of the Sun" (2011).

In 1991, Susanna Hoffs released her first solo album, "When You're a Boy," followed by "Susanna Hoffs" (1996). Although neither album was as popular as the Bangles' albums, they yielded charting singles like "My Side of the Bed" and "All I Want".

She also recorded several songs for films and formed the faux-British 1960s band Ming Tea with Mike Myers and Matthew Sweet. She teamed with Sweet to produce "Under the Covers," a series of cover song albums.

Her personal life is equally fulfilling. She married filmmaker Jay Roach in 1993, and they have two children, Jackson and Sam. Both sons have entered the entertainment field, with Jackson working as an actor and Sam as a writer and actor.

Susanna Hoffs is proud of her children and often shares her joy of motherhood on social media.