Just one day after turning 76 years old, Simmons passed away on Saturday, July 13, according to his longtime publicist.
The fitness guru Richard Simmons was still updating his devoted followers on social media just hours before word spread that he had passed away at the age of 76.
On Saturday, July 13, just before eight in the morning Pacific Time, the fitness instructor made a post on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) that appeared to be a picture of him dressed as a drag queen. “Hello gorgeous!” was what his caption said. Don’t spoil my fun, please.
On his 76th birthday, a day earlier, Simmons wrote a touching letter to his followers expressing gratitude for their support, saying he “never got so many messages about my birthday in my life.”
“I’m composing emails while I sit here. During one of his last posts on July 12, he wrote, “Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday.”
Simmons recently discussed his plans for his birthday celebration with PEOPLE in a piece that was published on Friday. He declared that he only wanted to light a few candles and keep things straightforward.
But most likely, a zucchini will have the candle on it. He began by stating, “You know, I’m a vegetarian,” but then acknowledged that he might eat “maybe one Pepperidge Farm Milano cookie.”
The late singer exclaimed, “I feel good!” during the interview. “I’m happy to be here and to be alive for another day. My birthday will be spent helping people, which is what I do every day.
Longtime publicist for the professional fitness coach, Tom Estey, confirmed Simmons’ passing to PEOPLE on Saturday. TMZ broke the story first, quoting law enforcement sources.
The housekeeper of the former Richard Simmons Show star called the police on Saturday at around 10 a.m. PT, the outlet said, adding that there was no suspicion of foul play.
“With Simmons, the world has truly lost an angel,” Estey said to PEOPLE.
The former TV personality had been virtually invisible to the public since 2014, the year he gave his last lesson at the renowned Slimmons fitness studio in Beverly Hills. He shuttered Slimmons in November 2016 despite having first stated that he was taking time off to heal from a knee injury. He was never seen in public after that.
Rumors started to surface about the singer the same year, including the idea that he was being detained against his will at home. However, he repeatedly stated that he simply wanted time off to relax and step back from the spotlight.
Taking Care of Oneself
At the time, he said on the Today show, “I do what I want to do as I’ve always done.” “I’ve taught thousands and thousands of classes, and at this point, all I want to do is take care of myself.” I simply have no desire to accomplish anything. I simply don’t want to travel any longer. It has undoubtedly had an impact on me.
