RICHARD Simmons had exited the public eye to live a reclusive life years before his death at 76 on Saturday.
On July 13, the popular fitness guru was found dead at his home.
Richard entertained fitness enthusiasts with his iconic Sweatin’ to the Oldies workout videos for decades, garnering widespread fame throughout the ’80s and ’90s.
His popularity even led the aerobics instructor to appear in comedy shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Saturday Night Live, and The Larry Sanders Show.
But after so much success, Richard quietly stepped back from the spotlight in February 2014.
His sudden absence made his worldwide fan base curious about his whereabouts and even spurned a podcast speculating on his disappearance.
2014
One of Richard’s reps revealed the TV personality’s exit was both gradual and deliberate, as he explained, “We were turning down stuff for years and just kind of quieting down.
“When he decides that he wants to come back, that’s when he’ll come back, and when that will be, I have no idea or if he will at all.”
2016
In 2016, a New York Daily News story sparked rumors of foul play after friends of Richard’s friends claimed they had not seen the star for two years.
His masseur and assistant, Mauro Oliveira, even felt that Richard was being “controlled” by his brother, manager, and housekeeper, CNN reported at the time.
“I feel that Richard is now being controlled by the very people that he controlled his whole life,” Oliveira told the news outlet.
“Controlled in the sense that they are taking advantage of his weak mental state. Controlled in the sense that they are controlling his mail, controlling his everything,” he continued.
Dr Ruth – Richard Simmons
Shortly after the story broke, Simmons responded to the speculation on Facebook, writing, “I can’t believe I was trending on Facebook!”
“After some questions about my health and whereabouts, I’ll be calling in to ‘Today Show’ tomorrow morning. If you’re wondering what I’ve been up to, I hope you’ll tune in!”
On the Today Show, Richard told Savannah Guthrie that he wasn’t being held hostage by his housekeeper via a phone interview, “No one is holding me in my house as a hostage.”
“You know I do what I want to do as I’ve always done, so people should sort of just believe what I have to say because, like, I’m Richard Simmons!” he continued.
Around the same time, Entertainment Tonight executive Brad Bessey, spoke with Richard by phone and the fitness instructor assured him, “No one should be worried about me”, as reported by ET.
“The people that surround me are wonderful people who take great care of me,” RIchard confirmed.
HOSPITAL STAY
Not long after the media interviews addressing the public speculation, the TV personality was hospitalized after reportedly exhibiting strange behavior.
In a statement to People Magazine, Richard stated, “Thank you to everyone who has reached out with love and concern after hearing I was in the hospital.
“I was dehydrated and needed some fluids and now I am feeling great! Summer is here – drink plenty of liquids. Big hugs and kisses for caring.”
2017
In 2017, the podcast Missing Richard Simmons, hosted by journalist Dan Taberski, debuted at an all-time high for conspiracies surrounding Richard’s disappearance.
The writer-director had been a regular at the star’s Beverly Hills studio, which closed in 2016.
The podcast, dubbed “a cultural phenomenon” by the New York Times, investigated Richard’s personal life and the alleged disappearance.
Richard declined to participate in the podcast.
The journalist said the podcast came from “a place of love” and “real concern and spent episodes staking out Richard’s house, discussing his gender identity, and speculating on his mental health.
During an interview with TVO Today, Dan opened up about his relationship with Richard and spoke about people stating that the fitness guru “saved their lives.”
“He would wake up at four in the morning and call 20, 30, 40 people a day who were isolated and alone and who needed empathy,” Dan revealed.
“Some people needed to lose 50 pounds and some needed to lose 500, and he understood those people and he gave them empathy and he saved a lot of lives,” he continued.
The Los Angeles Police Department would later visit Richard’s home to complete a welfare check – officers deemed the fitness instructor to be of “sound mind.”
The same year, Richard was hospitalized “after a few days of battling severe indigestion,” E News reported.
He explained the health scare on Facebook, taking a friendly jab at the podcast as he wrote, “Aren’t you sick of hearing and reading about me?! LOL”
“Well by now you know that I’m not ‘missing,’ just a little under the weather. I’m sure I will be feeling good and back home in a couple of days.” he added.
2022
In 2022, TMZ investigated the star’s disappearance with their docuseries, TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons.
The series documented RIchard’s life, both his success and his step back from the public eye.
It ultimately alleged that Richard became private due to a double knee replacement, which affected his ability to exercise and pushed him into retirement.
He did not address the docuseries.
2024
A resurgence of interest in RIchard’s private and public life was fueled by an unauthorized new biopic starring Pauly Shore, 56, that Simmons denounced.
On March 18, the former fitness mogul wrote on Facebook, “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.”
The post led to more speculation about Richard and his health, however, his spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter, “I can confirm with 100 percent certainty that Richard is not dying.
“He’s, in fact, very healthy and happy. The sole purpose of the post was meant to be inspirational.”
He apologized for the cryptic message on X, formally Twitter, writing, “Sorry many of you have gotten upset about my message today. Even the press has gotten in touch with me. I am not dying. It was a message about saying how we should embrace every day that we have. Sorry for this confusion. Love, Richard.”
On March 19, Simmons opened up about his health after assuring fans he wasn’t dying.
The fitness instructor announced he’d been diagnosed with skin cancer as he wrote, “There was this strange looking bump under my right eye . . . It was time to call my dermatologist.”
Soon thereafter, his doctor ran tests and told him, “You have cancer. I asked him what kind of cancer and he said. ‘Basel Cell Carcinoma.'”
Simmons also shared that he went to a specialist three times to get the cancer removed, recounting his interactions with his doctor he added, “Well the third time was a charm. With a smile on his face, [his doctor] said, ‘We got all the cancer cells out.'”
Ever the health advocate, Richard urged people to be proactive about their health, “I know some of you reading this have had cancer or have known someone in your life who has had cancer. Promise me you will see your doctor and get a complete check-up.”
DEATH OF AN ICON
First responders arrived at Simmons’ house at 10 am Saturday, where they pronounced him dead, TMZ confirmed with police.
Police believe RIchard died of natural causes with law enforcement telling the outlet that the fitness instructor fell last night, which they suspect is connected to his death.
Richard celebrated his 76th birthday on Friday night and posted on Facebook thanking his fans.
“Thank you… I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life,” he wrote.
“I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday!”
During an interview with People ahead of his birthday, Richard said, “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.”
