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Roomies, legendary fitness icon Richard Simmons, passed away at 76 on Saturday (July 13).
The news of Richard Simmons’ death arrives just 24 hours after he celebrated his 76th birthday on Friday, July 12. Shockingly, the health guru thanked fans for the birthday wishes in a heartfelt message on Facebook mere hours before his passing.
TMZ reports that law enforcement responded to a call from Simmons’ housekeeper shortly before 10 a.m. on Saturday and later pronounced him dead at the scene. The outlet also disclosed that he is believed to have passed away from natural causes with no suspicion of foul play.
According to ABC News, Simmons has been active on social media, frequently posting daily. In March, he updated fans that he had successfully undergone surgery to remove skin cancer from his face and he was recovering well.
“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,” Simmons wrote.
ABC News also reports that in March, he alarmed fans by posting a message suggesting he was dying. He later clarified that he wasn’t facing death but intended to inspire everyone to “embrace every day that we have.”
“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,” Simmons stated.
Richard Simmons’ passing prompted an outpouring of love from fans in The Shade Room’s comment section. Many social media users remembered Richard’s career and noted his lasting legacy in fitness.
Instagram user @chinonsoawu wrote, “He unbigged sooo many backs 😩. Rest in power”
Instagram user @iamstevejones wrote, “You gotta be straight out the 80’s to understand the magnitude of this fitness giant. May God rest his soul.”
While Instagram user @clefs_ wrote, “Damn…. This actually made me sad foreal. 90’s kids remember them “Sweatin to the Oldies” VHS tapes. R.I.P”
Then Instagram user @toisalter wrote, “Richard was a fitness icon…before workouts were popular he made them so by bringing it to TV screens to us couch potatoes. RIP Richard.”
Instagram user @babydollcode wrote, “He was a whole vibe ❤️the man had VHS tapes on lock for a whole decade fr… rest up”
Another Instagram user @adells_08 wrote, “😢😢😢 Another part of my childhood gone. He was everywhere in the 90s.”
Lastly, Instagram user @diamondisfabulous wrote, “Richard kept EVERYONE on their feet. He left his stamp on the world 💎🕊”
Richard Simmons became renowned for his unwavering positivity and his promotion of weight loss through his iconic ‘Sweatin’ to the Oldies’ series of aerobics videos.
TMZ revealed that he began his career as a waiter in Beverly Hills, California, before opening a chain of gyms tailored for customers seeking to get in shape.
Throughout his career, the fitness pioneer ventured into acting, making appearances as himself in 72 episodes of ‘General Hospital.’ He maintained the recurring role for about four years, starting in 1979. He made a cameo return in the hit series in 2013.
