The Life and Death of Fitness Mogul 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 and actually encompassed a number of mediums, which he seemed to effortlessly conquer with his messages of good will and healthy living, touching the lives of millions.

He was born Milton Teagle Simmons on July 12, 1948 in New Orleans, Louisiana and is perhaps best known for his at-home workout videos and Beverly Hills-based studio, which he founded in 1974. Before his death, Simmons remained active on Facebook, and even posted the morning of July 13, saying, "Hello gorgeous! Please don’t rain on my parade." This was at 10:52 am Eastern Standard Time, and the authorities responded to a call at 1PM to come over and confirm his death.

For more on his life and lasting legacy, keep reading.

1. The fitness guru had just celebrated his birthday

Simmons had turned 76 the day before his death, telling PEOPLE magazine that "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 also took to Facebook, telling his loving fans, "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." That was his second to last social media post before his death.

2. Simmons was overweight as a child

While Simmons might have been in good shape as an adult, that certainly wasn't the case when he was growing up. At the time of his high school graduation, he was 5'7" and 270 Ibs.

Soon after that, the fitness star reportedly found an anonymous note on his car that read, "Fat people die young; please don't die." That was all the push he needed to lose the weight — but in an unhealthy way.

Two-and-a-half months later, he had lost 112 Ibs, landing him in the hospital with kidney problems.

Simmons has never been overweight since.

3. He moved to L.A in the 1970s

Simmons moved to L.A in the 1970s and decided that when he got there, he was going to change his entire life. He learned healthy ways to keep off the weight and soon decided that he wanted to teach others how to do the same.

So, in 1975 he opened up his exercise studio and grocery store (Anatomy Asylum and Ruffage). These soon caught the attention of celebrities all over the L.A area, leading Simmons to become a fitness hit.

4. Simmons guest-starred on General Hospital

Simmons appeared as himself in the hit Soap Opera General Hospital from 1972-2013 in a total of 72 episodes.

“When Richard walked on our General Hospital stage, it would sizzle with his life force, his wicked sense of humor, his joy of entertaining and his love for us all,” Lynn Herring recalled to PEOPLE, following Simmons' death. She added that Simmons meant a lot to her, and thanked him for all he did.

Simmons' other guest starring roles include CHiPs (1982), Fame (1982), All My Children (1995), Arrested Development (2003-2004) and the cartoon Fish Hooks (2010-2013).

He was in 20 movies and TV shows in total.

5. Richard Simmons was an author

Aside from fitness, Simmons was also widely successful in the writing arena. Before his death, he had written five best-selling books, including Never-Say-Diet (1980) and Still Hungry —After All These Years: My Story (1999). His last book was released in 2021, and was co-written by Robb Pearlman. It was entitled Remember to Sparkle! The Wit & Wisdom of Richard Simmons.

6. He was also a video star

Simmons had pioneered over 50 at-home workout videos that were watched by people all over the country. Additionally, he hosted numerous weight-loss cruises, where guests could go out to sea with him and get a crash course on how to get in shape in a healthy way. Simmons could also be found touring and giving motivational talks across the United States.

7. Simmons owned a fitness studio

Simmons' fitness studio, which was called Slimmons, was housed in Beverly Hills. He actively taught $12 classes there when he wasn't on the road and did so until 2014. The studio closed down in November 2016.

"While Slimmons may be closing, Richard Simmons has made an indelible mark on the lives of millions through his classes there and around the world," his manager told ABC News in 2016. "While he is taking time for himself right now, his tenets of kindness, encouragement and well being will endure."

8. Simmons left the public eye in 2014

After teaching his last fitness class in 2014, Simmons disappeared from the public eye. It was initially believed that he left to rest and recover from a knee injury, but he was never seen in public again, leading many people to believe he was being kept away against his will.

In 2016 he addressed those rumors by calling into the Today show and saying, "I've taught, like, thousands and thousands of classes and, you know, right now I just want to sort of just take care of me. I just really don't want to do anything. I just don't want to be traveling anymore. It certainly has taken its toll on me."

His disappearance was discussed at length though, and even lead to a 2017 podcast entitled Missing Richard Simmons. The fitness mogul didn't participate in the podcast ,though, and was not seen out in public again.

9. He suffered from skin cancer

In March 2024 Simmons announced on Facebook that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer, writing:

"There was this strange looking bump under my right eye. I had a tube of neosporin, which I would put on I the morning and the evening….it was still there. It was time to call my dermatologist. 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. Now I am getting a little bit nervous. He comes back about 20 minutes later and says the C word. You have cancer. I asked him what kind of cancer and he said. Basel Cell Carcinoma. I told him to stop calling me dirty names. He laughed."

"'You have to go to a cancer doctor right away. But now that you are here, I suggest you put some Botox in your forehead lines and your smile lines and let’s pump up those cheeks of yours...' I patted him on his hand and said, 'Not today doctor.'

"When I got home, I called Dr Ralph A. Massey, who was from England. I waited in his waiting room and said hello to all of these people who had skin cancer as well. I was shocked to see all of the skin cancers that they had. Some had cancer on top of their heads…their face …and their neck.

"The nurse said, 'Dr would like to see you now, Richard.' I slowly walked in this pristine room and Dr Massey came in to greet me…'I have to apologize. I just finished eating lox, bagels, and onions.' He smelled like a deli. But I didn’t care, I just needed his help.

"He explained that he has to burn my skin to remove the cancer cells. There was no numbing, it just had to be done with a small instrument. As he started burning my skin, a tear dropped down my cheek. You can’t cry during this and he wiped my tear. The burning really hurt my skin. It lasted about 30 minutes. 'Come back in an hour and a half and see if I got it all out.'

"After driving around the city, I went back to some sad news. I didn’t get it all out. He burned my face again. This time was worse than before...It was deeper. I did not cry this time, but I did grit my teeth."

10. Simmons was never in a public relationship

Despite his decades in the spotlight, Simmons was never in a public relationship. Many believe that he was gay or simply not interested in love. Others think he secretly had a wife, but never revealed her to the public. None of these rumors were ever confirmed or denied by Simmons or any members of his team.

Although Richard Simmons has passed on, his legacy in the fitness world will continue to live on forever. Farewell, Richard. You will be missed.

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