Richard Simmons death updates — Fitness guru ‘fell in his bathroom’ the night before he was found dead at age 76
FITNESS coach “Richard” Simmons has died at the age of 76, TMZ reports.
Simmons born Milton Teagle, was known for his flamboyant fitness tapes and DVDs during the 1980s.
Officials believe his death may be connected to a fall he suffered in his bathroom last night.
Police responded to a 911 call from Simmons' housekeeper before 10 am and pronounced the star dead upon arrival, according to TMZ.
No foul play is suspected at this time and officials are investigating the death as natural causes.
Follow our Richard Simmons death blog for news and updates...
Pauly Shore posts touching tribute
Comedian Pauly Shore posted a heartfelt tribute following the sad news that Richard Simmons died.
"I just got word like everyone else that the beautiful Richard Simmons has passed.
"I hope you’re at peace and twinkling up in the heavens.
"Please give my mother Mitzi and my father Sammy a big hug and a kiss for me.
"You’re one of a kind, Richard. An amazing life.
"An amazing story. They broke the dolphin shorts when they made you. Rest in peace, my friend. Rest in peace," Shore wrote.
Simmons dies after saying he was ‘glad to be alive’
"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."
Simmons was found dead at his home early Saturday morning, TMZ reported.
Old interview resurfaces
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.
"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."
Fans pay tribute
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."
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.
Learn more about Richard Simmons early life
Richard Simmons was born on July 12, 1948, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Richard is a famous semi-retired fitness personality who is well-known for his energetic fitness videos.
He is known for his Sweatin' to the Oldies line of aerobics videos which he uses to promote weight loss.
He began his career when he opened his gym, Slimmons, in Beverly Hills, California.
Fitness star recalls cancer diagnosis
On March 19, 2024, Richard revealed he was diagnosed with skin cancer in a lengthy Facebook post.
"I sat in his chair and he looked at it through a magnifying mirror. He told me he would have to scrape it and put it under the microscope," he recalled.
"Now I am getting a little bit nervous. He comes back about 20 minutes later and says the C word. ‘You have cancer.'"
He was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, which is the most common form of skin cancer.
Simmons made multiple appearances on TV
Simmons boosted his appeal by often making appearances on TV and radio shows as well as featuring in adverts.
Among his media appearances, he appeared on Late Show With David Letterman and The Howard Stern Show.
He also popped up in the long-running TV show General Hospital as well as Arrested Development.
Inside Richard Simmons' popularity
Simmons became a household name as a fitness expert, helped by his eccentric and flamboyant personality.
He also released a series of aerobics videos.
Simmons began his weight-loss career by opening his exercise studio called The Anatomy Asylum, which later became known as Slimmons, in Beverly Hills and went on to find fame due to his media appearances as well as the promotion of his products.
Fitness guru opens up about closing gym
While discussing his now-defunct fitness studio, Richard told fans via Facebook: "When I opened Slimmons in 1974, I simply couldn’t wait to tell everyone that food could be healthy AND delicious or that exercise could be fun!
"I worked my little striped shorts off to spread the message that you must move your body every day, that portion size matters, and that while others may not always be kind to you, you must be kind to yourself.
"I made countless friends along the way and I hope I changed a few lives for the better."
He added: "You know, I’ve always said I am with you every step of the way.
"And you have been with me, at my side always, in happy times and sad.
"We laughed and cried together and have memories to last ten lifetimes."Play Video
Simmons was previously diagnosed with cancer
Simmons revealed on social media that he was diagnosed with Basal cell carcinoma — the most common form of skin cancer.
The fitness star said he went to see a dermatologist after finding a bump under his eye that wouldn't go away.
“Now I am getting a little bit nervous. He comes back about 20 minutes later and says the C word. ‘You have cancer,'" he recalled.
"I asked him what kind of cancer and he said. Basal Cell Carcinoma. I told him to stop calling me dirty names. He laughed."
Same old cheerful self
Simmons was known for his flamboyant fitness tapes and DVDs during the 1980s.
He was cheery as ever in his final post on social media before his death today.
"Hello gorgeous! Please don’t rain on my parade," read his last comment on Facebook on Saturday morning.
Fitness guru closes Slimmons Fitness
On November 19, 2016, Richard announced he was closing Slimmons Fitness to make "a new beginning" for himself.
In a Facebook post, he shared: "I have never been very good with beginnings and endings.
"This may come as a surprise to some of you but I am not the most patient person.
"I traveled the country, appeared in malls and convention halls, talk shows, news segments, and made more guest appearances than I can name.
"Well, it’s been over forty years now, and I am finally taking my own advice."
He further explained: "I am being kind to myself, and putting myself first.
More on Simmons' success
In 1974, Richard Simmons launched Slimmons Fitness; his exercise studio located in Beverly Hills, California.
Within the following decade, Richard became famous for his Sweatin' to the Oldies aerobics videos.
He struggled with obesity as a child and into his teenage years, eventually becoming a plus-sized model.
As he got older, he turned to fitness and exercise, losing 100 lbs and turning it into a career.
Simmons dead one day after his birthday
The sad news came just a day after Simmons celebrated his 76th birthday.
He took to social media to thank his fans for the birthday wishes.
"Thank you...I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life! I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday," he wrote on Facebook.
Fitness guru suffered fall in bathroom
Richard Simmons fell in the bathroom in his home, the LAPD reported.
Police believe the fall may be connected with Simmons' death.
No official cause of death has been released at this time.
Simmons' fame and fortunes
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Richard Simmons had an estimated net worth of approximately $20 million, as of January 2024.
His main source of wealth is said to be from his career as a fitness expert and coach.
He also earned income from brand endorsements and sponsorships.
Richard Simmons pictured
Legendary fitness coach Richard Simmons has died at the age of 76.
American fitness coach Richard Simmons poses for a portrait in 1992Credit: Harry Langdon/Getty Images Simmons took a fall last night
Richard Simmons took a fall last night that may be connected to his death, police have reported.
At this time no cause of death has been revealed.
More on Simmons humble beginnings
After moving to Los Angeles in the 1970s, Simmons took an interest in healthy living and lost over 100 pounds, but noticed that guys catered to people who were already fit.
He started the exercise studio The Anatomy Asylum, which made fitness a fun activity and reinforced positivity with a focus on healthy eating.
Simmons became a staple in the fitness world, making appearances on Late Show with David Letterman and The Howard Stern Show.
Simmons was 'unplugged' later in life
Richard Simmons unplugged himself from media appearances and the public eye in 2014.
By 2016, speculations and concerns about his health began to surface online.
Simmons was pictured arriving at his Los Angeles home and hiding under a blanket in April 2017, marking the renowned fitness instructor's last sighting.
Fans pay tribute
Fans of the legendary fitness coach are taking to X to share their condolences.
Richard Simmons apologized for tweet
After sharing the cryptic tweet, Simmons issued an apology.
“Sorry many of you have gotten upset about my message today,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Even the press has gotten in touch with me. I am not dying.
The fitness expert then clarified what he meant.
“It was a message about saying how we should embrace every day that we have. Sorry for this confusion.”
Eerie quote was posted earlier this year
Richard Simmons shared a cryptic message on X, formerly known as Twitter, months before his death.
“I have some news to tell you,” he wrote as part of an X thread.
“Please don’t be sad. I am ….dying. Oh I can see your faces now. The truth is we all are dying. Every day we live we are getting closer to our death.”
How Simmons rose to popularity
Richard Simmons' fame grew between the 1970s and 1980s.
He became known for his flamboyant fitness tapes and DVDs.
The fitness guru also opened up a series of gyms all around the country.