ICON GONE
Richard Simmons dead at age 76 just a day after celebrating his birthday & saying he was ‘glad to be alive’
The fitness instructor posted on Facebook in March encouraging supporters to live their best lives
LEGENDARY fitness guru Richard Simmons has died at the age of 76.
Simmons was found dead at his home early Saturday morning, TMZ reported.
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First responders arrived at his house at 10 am Saturday, where they pronounced him dead, TMZ confirmed with police.
Law enforcement told the outlet that the fitness instructor fell last night, which they suspect is connected to his death.
Simmons celebrated his 76th birthday on Friday night and posted on Facebook thanking his fans.
"Thank you...I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life," Simmons wrote.
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"I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday!"
During an interview with People ahead of his birthday, Simmons said, "I am grateful that I'm here, that I am alive for another day.
"I'll spend my birthday doing what I do every day, which is to help people."
CONCERNING CONTENT
Simmons chose to step back from the public eye in 2014 but shared a rare Facebook post in March announcing the state of his health and encouraging fans to lead healthy lives.
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"I have some news to tell you," the fitness instructor wrote.
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"Please don't be sad. I am... dying. Oh I can see your faces now.
"The truth is we are all dying. Every day we live we are getting closer to our death.
"Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to enjoy your life and to the fullest every single day.
"Get up in the morning and look at the sky... count your blessings and enjoy."
Simmons' concerning posts scared fans, leading many of them to reach out and ask how he was doing.
“Sorry many of you have gotten upset about my message today. Even the press has gotten in touch with me. I am not dying,” he posted on X last year.
In a follow-up post, the fitness instructor elaborated on his claim that he was "dying."
After noticing a bump on his skin, Simmons went to a dermatologist to check it out.
"He comes back about 20 minutes later and says the C word. ‘You have cancer.’ I asked him what kind of cancer and he said Basel Cell Carcinoma," he wrote.
"The reason I wrote these two messages is that if you see a spot on your body please go to your doctor …so they can diagnose it right away."
RISE TO FAME
Simmons was known for his flamboyant personality and series of aerobics videos.
In 1974, the media personality opened up his own fitness studio comically titled Slimmons.
After opening the studio, he became the star of his own show, The Richard Simmons Show, which ran from 1980 to 1984.
The star continued to make media appearances on television and radio shows, such as The Late Show With David Letterman and The Howard Stern Show.
Despite his years of public notoriety, the fitness influencer stepped out of the spotlight in February 2014.
Richard Simmons disappears from public
Fitness guru Richard Simmons was known for his eccentric and cheerful personality, as well as his workout videos. But the beloved coach vanished from the public eye in 2014.
2014: Simmons' fans grow worried as the fitness guru halts public appearances. His rep said at the time, "We were turning down stuff for years and just kind of quieting down, and when he decides that he wants to come back, that's when he'll come back, and when that will be, I have no idea or if he will at all."
2016: Simmons' friends admit they haven't seen him for two years, sparking concerns he was being "held hostage" at his home. He eventually posts to Facebook, "I can’t believe I was trending on Facebook! After some questions about my health and whereabouts, I’ll be calling in to 'Today Show' tomorrow morning. If you’re wondering what I’ve been up to, I hope you’ll tune in!”
Later in 2016: Simmons is hospitalized after reportedly showing signs of strange behavior. He said in a statement, “Thank you to everyone who has reached out with love and concern after hearing I was in the hospital. I was dehydrated and needed some fluids and now I am feeling great! Summer is here – drink plenty of liquids. Big hugs and kisses for caring.”
2017: A podcast titled Missing Richard Simmons examines his disappearance and personal life. Simmons declined to be involved and the LAPD went to his home for a welfare check and found he was fine.
2022: TMZ releases an investigation titled What Really Happened to Richard Simmons with claims the fitness instructor had a double knee replacement which led him to retire and leave the spotlight.
2023: Simmons celebrates his 75th birthday and shares a rare update.
March 2024: Simmons scares fans with a post saying "I'm dying," but later insists it was meant to be an inspirational message. He apologized, writing, “Sorry many of you have gotten upset about my message today. Even the press has gotten in touch with me. I am not dying. It was a message about saying how we should embrace every day that we have. Sorry for this confusion. Love, Richard.”
March 2024: Simmons reveals a skin cancer diagnosis but says his doctors "got all the cancer cells out."
July 12, 2024: Simmons celebrates his 76th birthday and tells People, "I am grateful that I'm here, that I am alive for another day. I'll spend my birthday doing what I do every day, which is to help people."
July 13, 2024: Simmons is found dead at his home after reportedly suffering a fall in his bathroom the night before.
Simmons abruptly stopped teaching classes at Slimmons and cut off friends and family, Today reported.
Although he hasn't made any public appearances then, he has occasionally posted on social media.
In what must have been a pre-scheduled post on Facebook, Simmons wrote, "Hello gorgeous! Please don't rain on my parade."
Fans flooded his comments, expressing their condolences for his family and how much he will be missed.
"You did so much good in this world, Richard. You helped more people than you know. I feel very strongly that you lived with such passion for helping others," one fan wrote.
"My heart is going out to your close friends, family, and all that you love now. I couldn't be more shocked than I am right now. Rest peacefully."
As fans continue to pay tribute to the icon, a clip from a 1985 interview between Simmons and sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer, who died the day before the fitness guru, has resurfaced.
In the video, the fitness instructor and doctor discuss fitness, calorie cutting, and family dynamics.
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"Well we lost two sweet souls today," one fan commented under the interview clip posted on X.
"May these two rest in peace for all the good they did for the people who looked to them for help."
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