Richard Simmons, the ebullient, curly-haired fitness instructor and TV star who taught millions to exercise, has died at age 76. He died on Saturday, one day after his birthday, at his Los Angeles home, according to a statement from the company. ParentsIn his final social media post, he thanked his friends and followers for wishing him a happy birthday. “I’ve never received so many birthday messages in my life! As I sit here writing this email, I wish you the best for the rest of your Friday,” he said.
Simmons’ brother, Lenny Simmons, confirmed the death in a statement. “I don’t want anyone to mourn my brother and remember the pure joy and love he brought to people’s lives. We are in shock and please respect the family during this difficult time,” Simmons said. ABC News reports that the fitness guru appears to have died of natural causes and no foul play is suspected.
Simmons rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s after opening a gym and posting a number of fitness videos. The fitness instructor is best known for his quirky attitude and “sweat to oldies” exercise videos.
According to his website, he has been “a mentor and motivator for over 40 years” and is “one of the world’s most respected and iconic fitness personalities. “By combining his trademark humor with a serious message, he has helped millions of overweight men and women lose more than three million pounds through his adoption of sensible, balanced eating programs and energizing, fun and motivating exercise programs,” his biography on the site states.
He was born Milton Teagle Simmons on July 12, 1948, in New Orleans, but went by the name Richard as he grew up. He often said that childhood obesity led him to try to lose weight and pursue a fitness career in the 1970s and 1980s. He first embarked on his weight loss journey when he opened his own gym, Slimmons, in Beverly Hills, California. In 1980, he published his debut novel, Never Say Diet, the first of 12 books he would publish throughout his career.
It’s worth noting that Simmons has withdrawn from public view over the past few years. In March, he revealed that he’d been diagnosed with skin cancer under his eye. “I’m dying. The truth is, we’re all dying. We get closer to death every day we live,” he said at the time. He has since clarified that he has no plans to die, and that he plans to spread the word to inspire people to live full lives.
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