Richard Simmons, a legendary fitness icon known for his aerobic workouts in the 1970s and 80s, passed away in July 2024 at the age of 76. After his death, his family revealed that the cause of death was complications from recent falls and heart disease. The Los Angeles Coroner’s Office informed Richard’s brother, Lenny Simmons, of the autopsy results, which indicated that his death was accidental. The toxicology report was negative, with the exception of prescribed medication. The family expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support they received during this difficult time.
Simmons had not been publicly seen for about a decade before his death, but gave his last interview two days before passing away. He was found unresponsive in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles and pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders. Lenny Simmons shared a statement urging the public to celebrate Richard’s life and the joy he brought to others, rather than being sad. Although rumors circulated about cancer being the cause of his death, the family clarified that Richard had been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer, that he had successfully treated.
In a Facebook post before his diagnosis, Richard Simmons wrote about having a strange bump under his right eye that turned out to be cancerous. Doctors performed a procedure to remove the malignant cells, which left him with no scar. Additionally, the fitness guru caused concern among his fans when he wrote that he was “dying” in another Facebook post, emphasizing the importance of living life to the fullest and maintaining healthy relationships. Despite the initial worry this post caused, Richard later clarified that he was not dying and was happy and healthy.
The news of Richard Simmons’ passing prompted an outpouring of tributes and memories from those who had been inspired by his fitness programs and positive outlook on life. His family honored his memory by sharing details about his cause of death and health struggles leading up to his passing. While Richard’s absence from the public eye for several years had raised questions about his well-being, his family’s statements reassured fans that he had been content and in good health before his death. The legacy of Richard Simmons lives on through the impact he had on people’s lives during his career as a fitness icon.
