Richard Simmons: A Life Celebrated, but Cut Short
It’s hard to imagine a world without Richard Simmons. The fitness icon who brought so much joy and motivation to millions passed away at the age of 76, just a day after celebrating his birthday. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken by the news, especially since Richard had been so active on social media in recent months. But back in March, he gave an exclusive update to Closer about his health that many of us didn’t fully realize the gravity of at the time.
Richard was always one to keep things light, even when facing tough times. On March 21, he shared his feelings with Closer, saying, “I feel good.” But then he added something poetic: “But now all I see are beautiful bright rainbows.” Can you imagine? Richard Simmons seeing rainbows everywhere—it’s like he was giving us a glimpse into his soul. He even asked us to say hello to his viewers and thank them for their concern. That’s the kind of guy he was—always thinking of others, even in his final days.
His Battle with Skin Cancer: A Story of Resilience
On March 19, Richard revealed a deeply personal battle he’d been fighting for years—a battle with skin cancer. Now, this might come as a surprise to some because Richard was always so vibrant and full of energy. But it turns out, he’d noticed a small bump on his eye and decided to get it checked out. That’s when he got the news no one wants to hear.
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Richard described the moment in detail, writing, “I sat in his chair and he looked at it through a magnifying mirror.” He went on to explain, “He told me he would have to scrape it and put it under the microscope. Now I am getting a little bit nervous. He comes back about 20 minutes later and says the C word. You have cancer. I asked him what kind of cancer and he said, Basel [sic] Cell Carcinoma.” Richard, ever the comedian, joked, “I told him to stop calling me dirty names.” His ability to find humor even in the darkest moments was truly a gift.
But it wasn’t easy. Richard revealed that it took three attempts for the doctors to fully remove the cancer. Three attempts! Can you imagine the strength and determination it took to go through that? Thankfully, in the end, the cancer was successfully removed. Richard followed up with a heartfelt message to his fans on March 21, urging them to take care of their own health.
“The reason I wrote these two messages is that if you see a spot on your body, please go to your doctor,” Richard shared. “So they can diagnose it right away.” It’s a message we should all take to heart. Richard Simmons wasn’t just a fitness guru—he was a mentor, a friend, and someone who truly cared about the well-being of others.
A Decade Away from the Spotlight
For those who don’t know, Richard had stepped away from the public eye about a decade earlier. He hadn’t made any public appearances since 2014, and his absence led to all sorts of speculation. Some fans even started rumors that Richard was being held hostage by his housekeeper. Can you believe that? The man who brought so much joy to the world was being painted as a victim in his own home.
In 2016, Richard cleared things up in an audio interview with Today. Speaking to host Savannah Guthrie, he said, “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!” That’s the Richard we all know and love—straightforward, honest, and full of life.
Richard’s passing was sudden and unexpected. His housekeeper called authorities around 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 13. When police arrived, they found Richard unresponsive, and he was later declared dead. The following day, his brother, Lenny Simmons, updated fans via Richard’s social media account on X.
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“I don’t want people to be sad about my brother,” Lenny wrote on Sunday, July 14. “I want them to remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought to people’s lives. He truly cared about people. He called, wrote, and emailed thousands of people throughout his career to offer help.”
Lenny continued, “So don’t be sad. Celebrate his life! He was very excited about all of the upcoming ventures he was working on. We are in shock. Please respect the family at this difficult time. Lenny Simmons.”
