Richard Simmons, the eccentric fitness guru known for his unrelenting positivity, has passed away at the age of 76. His death, believed to be from natural causes, was discovered after a 911 call from his home.
Simmons had spooked fans just three months ago when he posted that he was dying on Facebook, writing in March,
“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.”
Richard Simmons had been away from public view recently, despite earlier reports of a biopic about him. He dismissed these reports, stating he no longer had a manager or publicist and aimed to live a quiet and peaceful life.
Simmons posted prolifically on social media, often several times a day. He posted about his birthday on Facebook a day before his death, writing,
“Thank you…I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life! I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday.”
He told his fans in March that he’d had skin cancer removed from his face, but was now doing well.
“I know some of you reading this have had cancer or have known someone in your life who has had cancer,” he wrote. “Promise me you will see your doctor and get a complete check up.”
Richard Simmons, originally born as Milton Teagle Simmons on July 12, 1948, in New Orleans, adopted the name Richard during his upbringing.
