Richard Simmons, legendary fitness personality known for his energetic and motivational approach to exercise, has died at the age of 76.
Simmons gained fame in the 1970s and 1980s with his popular workout videos, especially the “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” series, which combined aerobics with classic music. Simmons also hosted “The Richard Simmons Show,” a nationally syndicated TV series that earned multiple Emmy awards. His unique style, characterized by his flamboyant outfits and enthusiastic personality, made him a beloved figure in the fitness world. Simmons helped millions of people lose weight and improve their health through his fun and accessible fitness programs.
Over the years the fitness guru was involved in a few controversies. One of the most notable was his lawsuit against the National Enquirer and Radar Online. In 2017, Simmons sued these outlets for defamation after they published articles falsely claiming he was transitioning to a woman. The lawsuit was dismissed, with the judge ruling that being misidentified as transgender does not inherently expose someone to hatred or ridicule. Simmons was later ordered to pay the defendants’ legal fees. Despite these challenges, Simmons has remained a supportive figure for the LGBTQ+ community throughout his career.
Known to be quite eccentric, just a few months ago Simmons had alarmed fans when he posted that he was dying on Facebook. In March he wrote, “I have some news to tell you. Please don’t be sad. I am …. dying. Oh I can see your faces now. The truth is we all are dying. Every day we live we are getting closer to our death.”
He later clarified that he was not actually dying, but that the message was intended to encourage everyone to “embrace every day that we have.”
Simmons was no longer active in the fitness industry, though he maintained a robust presence on social media. When rumors emerged recently that a biopic of his life was in the works he wrote, “Don’t believe everything you read. I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist. I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful.”
The Los Angeles Police Department responded to his home after a 911 call from his housekeeper and found Simmons dead, according to police sources. He appears to have died of natural causes, and no foul play is suspected, the sources said.
