Fitness Pioneer Richard Simmons Dies Day After 76th Birthday: Reports

Richard Simmons, the renowned fitness guru celebrated for his vibrant personality and iconic workout videos, has passed away at the age of 76, just a day after his birthday. Multiple media outlets, including ABC News and NBC News, have reported his passing. TMZ first broke the news.

Earlier this year, Simmons shared with his followers on Facebook that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer. He noticed a “strange-looking bump” under his right eye and sought medical advice, leading to the diagnosis.

Despite his health challenges, Simmons gave a rare interview to People magazine this week. During the interview, he mentioned he might celebrate his birthday in his unique way. “But the candle will probably be on a zucchini,” he humorously remarked, noting his vegetarian lifestyle.

Simmons also expressed gratitude for his life, saying, “I feel good! 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.”

The fitness legend built a vast multimedia empire through “The Richard Simmons Show” and his famous VHS exercise videos like “Sweating With the Oldies.” Born Milton Teagle Simmons in New Orleans in 1948, he grew up in the French Quarter and had an early start selling pralines on the street. This rich food environment contributed to his struggles with weight as a child and young adult.

By the time he graduated from high school in the 1960s, Simmons weighed nearly 270 pounds. Reflecting on his past in a 1983 interview with the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Simmons recalled the hurtful words he endured due to his weight. “I mean I was mucho big. You know how they teach you early on that ‘Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you?’ Well, that’s a lie,” he said, adding, “But who has the last laugh now?”

In the mid-1970s, Simmons triumphed over his weight issues and moved to Los Angeles in 1973. There, he opened an exercise studio called Slimmons in Beverly Hills and continued to teach classes and host seminars for decades until 2013.

Over the years, Simmons became a household name, appearing on both local and national radio and TV shows. He even played himself on the soap opera “General Hospital” for four years. His nationally syndicated series, “The Richard Simmons Show,” aired from 1984 to 1989 and earned Daytime Emmys for best direction and best talk show.

Simmons’ career in the fitness industry was immensely successful. He released 65 exercise videos and sold more than 20 million copies. These videos, with titles like “Party Off the Pounds” and “Disco Sweat,” featured Simmons leading workout routines set to popular music tracks, all while shouting words of encouragement to keep viewers motivated.

This is a developing story. Please check back for more updates on Richard Simmons’ life and enduring legacy.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fitness pioneer Richard Simmons dies 1 day after 76th birthday: Reports

Source: USA Today, TMZ, ABC News, NBC News