UPDATED 6/5/2024
In the 1970s and 1980s, Richard Simmons was TV’s best known and most enthusiastic fitness guru. As a result of his success, not only did he manage to open and maintain a chain of gyms, but he also appeared on news segments, talk shows and had roles in a wide variety of TV series and movies. All of which led to the public’s concern over the fact he had disappeared for about a decade, with many fearing for his health and welfare. Earlier this year, he finally made some public statements, but leading up to them there was a feeling that something terrible had happened.
This past January, he finally went on social media to provide an update to those who have been worried about him, noting, “I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist. I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support.”
At the same time, he also came out against a biopic in development with Pauley Shore cast as him, exclaiming, “I have never given my permission for his movie. So don’t believe everything you read.”
Since then, he’s made more frequent posts, but mostly with motivational messages. He also came out with one in March proclaiming that he was dying, and then elaborated. “Please don’t be sad. I am .. dying,” he wrote. “Oh, I see your faces now. The truth is, we are all dying. Every day we live we are getting closer to our death. Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to enjoy your life to the fullest every single day. Get up in the morning and look at the sky … count your blessings and enjoy.”
To many, that was Richards Simmons being … well, Richard Simmons.
A Look Back at the ‘Mystery’ of Richard Simmons
It was in 2014 when he stopped all public appearances and some weird conspiracy theories began floating around that, in 2016, Simmons was being held hostage by his housekeeper. He did, however, appear on the news later on to deny these speculations. But when Simmons’ gym then closed without warning, people were, again, wondering if he was okay.
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In March 2017, the LAPD conducted a welfare check on Simmons, who confirmed that he was just fine. They noted to the public that “right now he is doing what he wants to do and it is his business.”
What happened to Richard Simmons?
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Also in 2017, Simmons was hospitalized for severe indigestion and at that point he made his first public announcement in over a year. Along with a photo of himself, he officially confirmed, “I’m not ‘missing,’ just a little under the weather.” Overall, he really just wanted some time to himself to take care and relax, as he most certainly deserved after building a legitimate health/fitness empire through the years.
“He’s helped millions of people lose millions of pounds. And for 40 years, he took care of everyone but himself,” says Simmons’ spokesman Tommy Estey.
And Simmons hasn’t shied away from speaking fondly of the people he’s helped. “Over the years, thousands came to laugh and sweat with me. I’ve dedicated my life to helping others feel better about themselves and they helped me to do the same. Thank you for always supporting and loving me,” he once said in a statement.
Some of his professional ventures over the years have includedThe Richard Simmons Show and a food program called Slim Cookin. He also appeared in commercials for Yoplait, Herbal Essences, and SportsCenter. Simmons even hosted his own Sirius radio program, Lighten Up with Richard Simmons. He really was doing it all.
His fans are certainly grateful that all seems to be okay with him and hope they’ll hear more from the Exercise Guru.