Fitness guru Richard Simmons died at the age of 76 over the weekend. TMZ was first to report the news on Saturday, July 13. The outlet, citing the Los Angeles Police Department, stated that authorities responded to Simmons’ home after a 911 call from his housekeeper, where they found Simmons had died.
Simmons’ longtime publicist, Tom Estey, confirmed to PEOPLE that the fitness coach died at his Los Angeles home one day after celebrating his 76th birthday. Said Estey: “The world has truly lost an angel.” Simmons’ brother, Lenny Simmons, also confirmed the death in a statement. “I don’t want people to be sad about my brother. I want them to remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought to people’s lives. We are in shock. Please respect the family at this difficult time,” he said. According to ABC News, the fitness guru appeared to have died of natural causes and no foul play is suspected.
An overweight child born raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Simmons – born Milton Teagle Simmons to vaudeville performer parents — moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s. He educated himself on all he could about nutrition, and in 1975 opened a health food store/exercise studio, Ruffage and Anatomy Asylum. The studio became a hit with celebrities, and Simmons lived a life in the spotlight from then on. He released five bestselling books, producing more than 50 workout videos and hosting weight loss cruises, while teaching classes at his Slimmons studio in Beverly Hills and appearing on talk shows and speaking tours.Simmons made regular TV appearances on talk shows including the “Late Show with David Letterman” and the “Rosie O’Donnell Show.” He also had a regular role on the soap opera “General Hospital” and made guest appearances as himself on shows such as “Arrested Development” and “The Larry Sanders Show.” He also hosted his own talk and fitness show, “The Richard Simmons Show,” from 1980-1984, which won four Daytime Emmy Awards.
The fitness guru had not been seen in public since 2014, when he made the decision to retreat from the public eye; Simmons made his last public appearance in January of that year, and taught his final class at his famed Slimmons studio that February (Slimmons officially closed in November 2016). However, Simmons was a regular poster on his social media platforms in the past months, with his last posts coming as recently as Saturday morning local time to let his followers fans know he appreciated their birthday well-wishes. Simmons wrote on Friday, July 13: “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. Love, Richard”
Simmons also had just spoken to PEOPLE about his plans to celebrate his 76th birthday, in a story published on Friday. He said he planned to blow out a few candles for the occasion: “But the candle will probably be on a zucchini. You know, I’m a vegetarian,” he said, before admitting that he would try “maybe one Pepperidge Farm Milano cookie.” Simmons added that he felt good to turn 76: “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.”
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