Fitness Icon Richard Simmons Passes Away at 76

Richard Simmons was instantly recognizable in his short shorts, sparkly tank tops, and frizzy hair. He was one of the most original, flamboyant, and beloved fitness personalities of the last 50 years.

Simmons passed away at his home in Los Angeles on Saturday, as confirmed by a representative. He was 76. A spokesperson from the Los Angeles police department confirmed they conducted a death investigation at an address in the Hollywood Hills, which public records verified as owned by Simmons.

Police did not specify a cause of death but stated that no foul play was suspected.

Simmons launched a fitness empire starting in the 1970s, encompassing videos, classes, books, products, infomercials, his own show, and numerous TV appearances.

His entrepreneurship thrived with the advent of new technology, particularly in the 1980s. Simmons produced fitness classes on VHS cassettes for VCRs. Throughout his life, he created more than 65 fitness videos, like “Sweatin’ to the Oldies,” which sold over 20 million copies.

Born Milton Teagle Richard Simmons in New Orleans, he described himself as a compulsive eater in his youth. Bullied due to his weight, he recounted his struggles, saying, “I was 200 pounds in the eighth grade. And when I graduated high school, I was almost 300 pounds. I was a very unhappy, bewildered teenager who couldn’t figure out what I wanted in life and why I had such a strong relationship with food.”

Simmons mentioned on his website that he tried various diets and laxatives but eventually embraced “a lifestyle of balance, moderate eating, and exercise.” His mission became making exercise enjoyable for all body types.

In 1974, he opened his studio in Beverly Hills, initially called The Anatomy Asylum, later renamed SLIMMONS. It catered to people wanting to lose weight and get fit and featured one of the area’s first salad bars, “Ruffage.” Simmons remained active there until 2013.

Simmons’ workout approach was lively and inclusive. In a commercial for “Sweatin’ to the Oldies,” he exuberantly described it as “a lively, entertaining, stimulating, humorous, colorful, frolicking, playful, inspiring, safe, low-impact workout that’s full of kicks, thrills, gusto, fervor, passion, fury, bustle, and action.”

No other fitness celebrity looked like Richard Simmons, and the diversity of the people in his videos was notable. According to historian Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, these participants varied in age and gender and many would have been considered overweight for that era.

Petrzela, author of “Fit Nation: The Gains and Pains of America’s Exercise Obsession,” noted Simmons’ revolutionary inclusion of people of all sizes in his fitness programs during the 1970s and ’80s. However, she acknowledged that more recent criticisms have accused him of fat-shaming.

“That criticism is not misplaced,” she said. “But it’s also important to recognize the significant work he did in expanding the notion of who deserved to exercise, who was welcome at the gym, and who was worthy of finding joy through movement and community.”

In his 60s, Simmons became reclusive. Fans were puzzled as to why this once public and positive personality withdrew from the spotlight. The podcast “Missing Richard Simmons” and several documentaries, including one by TMZ, explored the mystery. A 2022 statement from Simmons briefly thanked his fans. Previous interviews, such as one on the Today show in 2016, hinted at health issues and a desire for solitude.

Simmons’ core belief was straightforward: He promoted positivity, portion control, and daily physical activity for at least 30 minutes. This message resonated with those who felt alienated by traditional fitness culture or who believed they were always the last to be chosen for a team.

Source: NPR