Legendary fitness instructor Richard Simmons dies aged 76

Richard Simmons, the curly-haired fitness instructor and TV star who introduced millions to exercise, has died at the age of 76. He died a day after his birthday on Saturday at his home in Los Angeles, according to a report from The Guardian. In his last social media post, he thanked his friends and followers for wishing him well. “I have never received so many messages about my birthday in my entire life! I am sitting here writing emails. Have a wonderful rest of your Friday,” he said.

Mr. Simmons’ brother, Lenny Simmons, confirmed the death in a statement. “I don’t want people to be sad for my brother. I want them to remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought into people’s lives. We are in shock. Please respect the family at this difficult time,” he said. According to ABC News, the fitness guru appears to have died of natural causes and no foul play is suspected.

Mr. Simmons rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s after opening gyms and posting numerous fitness videos. The fitness instructor is best known for his offbeat behavior and his “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” workout videos.

He has been a “teacher and motivator for over 40 years,” according to his website, making him “one of the world’s most revered and iconic fitness personalities.” “By delivering a serious message with his trademark humor, he has helped millions of overweight men and women lose over 3,000,000 pounds by adopting sensible, balanced eating and exercise programs that are energetic, fun and motivating,” his bio states.

Born Milton Teagle Simmons on July 12, 1948, in New Orleans, he grew up as Richard. He has often explained that childhood obesity led him to embark on a weight-loss journey and pursue a career in fitness beginning in the 1970s and 1980s. He began his first weight-loss journey by opening Slimmons, a gym in Beverly Hills, California. In 1980, he published Never Say Diet, his first novel. It was the first of 12 books he published over the course of his career.

It should be noted that Mr. Simmons had withdrawn from public life in recent years. He revealed in March that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer under his eye. “I’m dying. The truth is, we’re all dying. Every day that we live, we’re getting closer to our death,” he said at the time. He later clarified that he wasn’t going to die and that he intended to spread the message to encourage people to live life to the fullest.

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