Eccentric fitness guru Richard Simmons, known for his unrelenting positivity, has died at 76, according to his representative. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to his home after a 911 call from his housekeeper and found Simmons dead. He appears to have died of natural causes, and no foul play is suspected, police sources said.
Simmons had recently posted on Facebook that he was “dying,” but later clarified it was meant to encourage people to “embrace every day that we have.” Despite being out of the public eye, there were reports of a biopic being made about him earlier this year, which Simmons dismissed, writing, “I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful.”
Simmons was active on social media, often posting several times a day. He thanked fans for their birthday wishes in a Facebook post a day before his death, writing, “Thank you…I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday.”
Born Milton Teagle Simmons in New Orleans on July 12, 1948, he adopted the name Richard while growing up. Overweight as a child, Simmons’ weight loss journey led him to open his gym, Slimmons, in Beverly Hills and release his popular fitness videos, including the “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” series.
