Honoring the Life and Legacy of Fitness Icon Richard Simmons

Fitness pioneer and eternally joyful Richard Simmons sadly passed away at the age of 76 from natural causes on Saturday, June 13, 2024, according to authorities. His life was an extraordinary one, filled with messages of goodwill and healthy living, touching the lives of millions.

Born Milton Teagle Simmons on July 12, 1948, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Simmons is perhaps best known for his at-home workout videos and Beverly Hills-based fitness studio, which he founded in 1974. Before his death, Simmons remained active on Facebook, even posting on the morning of July 13, saying, “Hello gorgeous! Please don’t rain on my parade.” Authorities responded to a call at 1 PM to confirm his death.

Simmons had just celebrated his 76th birthday a day before, telling PEOPLE magazine, “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.” He thanked his fans on Facebook for the numerous birthday messages, stating it was the most he had ever received.

Simmons struggled with weight issues as a child, weighing 270 lbs at his high school graduation despite being 5’7”. An anonymous note left on his car reading, “Fat people die young; please don’t die,” spurred him to lose 112 lbs in two and a half months, though it landed him in the hospital with kidney problems. Simmons never gained the weight back and dedicated his life to teaching others healthy ways to maintain fitness.

Upon moving to Los Angeles in the 1970s, Simmons decided to change his life. He learned healthy ways to keep off weight and opened his exercise studio and grocery store, which soon gained the attention of celebrities and made him a fitness hit.

Simmons appeared as himself in the popular Soap Opera General Hospital from 1972-2013, featuring in 72 episodes. His many guest-star roles also include CHiPs (1982), Fame (1982), All My Children (1995), Arrested Development (2003-2004), and the cartoon Fish Hooks (2010-2013). In total, Simmons appeared in 20 movies and TV shows.

Apart from fitness, Simmons was successful as an author. He wrote five bestselling books, including Never-Say-Diet (1980) and Still Hungry —After All These Years: My Story (1999). His last book, Remember to Sparkle! The Wit & Wisdom of Richard Simmons, was released in 2021, co-written by Robb Pearlman.

Simmons pioneered over 50 at-home workout videos. Additionally, he hosted numerous weight-loss cruises and toured the United States, giving motivational talks. His Beverly Hills fitness studio, Slimmons, was active until 2014 and closed in November 2016. His manager noted Simmons’ lasting impact on millions through his classes and teachings.

After teaching his last fitness class in 2014, Simmons disappeared from the public eye, leading to rumors that he was being kept away against his will. He addressed these rumors by calling into the Today show in 2016, stating he needed time for himself and didn’t want to travel anymore. His absence was further discussed in the 2017 podcast Missing Richard Simmons, although Simmons did not participate.

In March 2024, Simmons revealed he had been diagnosed with skin cancer. He shared the news on Facebook, describing his experience with treatments and the struggles he faced with the diagnosis, ending with touching gratitude towards his dermatologist and the process he went through.

Despite years in the spotlight, Simmons was never in a public relationship, leading to speculation about his private life, though none of these rumors were ever confirmed or denied.

Richard Simmons’ legacy in the fitness world will continue to live on. Farewell, Richard. You will be missed.

Source: PEOPLE, ABC News, Today