Richard Simmons, renowned for inspiring overweight individuals to get active and adopt healthier eating habits, passed away on Saturday.
Simmons, famous for his vibrant tank tops and short shorts, brought boundless energy to television as the lively court jester of physical fitness. He turned 76 on Friday.
According to an email from Richard Simmons’ publicist Tom Estey to The Associated Press, the fitness guru passed away at his Los Angeles home. “We lost an Angel today – a true Angel,” Estey said.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that officers responded to a 911 call from Richard Simmons’ home on Belfast Drive and arrived at 9:57 a.m. on Saturday.
“Upon arrival, one rescue ambulance discovered a 76-year-old male who was pronounced deceased on-scene by firefighter/paramedics due to apparent natural causes.
“As a result, no hospital transport was necessary,” LAFD Captain Erik Scott said.
Just two days before his passing, Richard contemplated his aspirations for his legacy.
“I never thought of myself as a celebrity. People don’t know this – I’m really a shy person and a little bit of an introvert,” he told People.
“But when that curtain goes up that’s a different story. I’m there to make people happy.
“But the accolades I get from emails. I mean, today most probably, we’ll answer over 100 emails.
“And they’ll say, ‘I’m your No1 fan’, and I just write back, and I say, you know, ‘Don’t say that because I’m a human being just like you. And I know that you do good things, too.’”
Simmons’ brother, Lenny Simmons, confirmed the death in a statement.
“I don’t want people to be sad about my brother,” Lenny Simmons said. “I want them to remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought to people’s lives.”
“We are in shock,” Lenny added. “Please respect the family at this difficult time.”Tom Estey, Simmons’ longtime publicist, said in a statement, “Today the World lost an Angel.”
A day before his sudden passing, Simmons celebrated his 76th birthday and took to the social media to thank everyone for the birthday wishes.
“Thank you…I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life!” Simmons wrote. “I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday.”
He signed the post “Love, Richard.”
Simmons, who grew up in New Orleans, battled weight issues from a young age, tipping the scales at nearly 200 pounds by age 15. By the time he graduated from high school, he weighed 268 pounds, as documented on his website.
From 1980 to 1984, he hosted the Richard Simmons Show that focused on personal health and fitness.
He also gained fame through his aerobic exercise videos, such as 1988’s Sweatin’ to the Oldies and its sequels in 1990 and 1991.
Simmons expanded his early success with frequent appearances on various TV shows, ranging from The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson to game shows like Match Game and The New Hollywood Squares. He became a staple of late-night television during the ’90s and 2000s, appearing on shows hosted by Jay Leno and David Letterman.
Throughout the years, Simmons sold millions of workout videos. He owned a Beverly Hills exercise studio and restaurant frequented by celebrities like Barbra Streisand and Paul Newman.
Following his recent withdrawal from public life, during which he disclosed a skin illness in March 2024, speculation about Simmons’ health and well-being had circulated. His death was initially reported by TMZ.
We are so very sorry for this loss. May he rest in peace.
Halle Berry & Gabriel Aubry’s Daughter, 16, Towers over Mom — Fans Divided over Their New Pics
Nahla Ariela Aubry, the daughter of Halle Berry and Gabriel Aubry, is sixteen years old. Her birthdate on March 16, 2008, meant that she would always be in the public eye due to the fame of her parents. Nahla has developed over the years while being closely observed by both her parents and her fans.
Online comments to pictures of Nahla looming over her mother have been divided lately. While some talked on her choices in clothing, others concentrated on her development and metamorphosis. Nahla’s development from a curly-haired toddler to a tall teenager has been extensively captured in pictures and public appearances.
Nahla enchanted the audience as a toddler with her kind disposition and strong relationship with her parents. She started to show signs of her changing personality and style by the time she was five years old.
When Berry accused Aubry of whitening and straightening their daughter’s naturally curly hair in an effort to change her appearance, Nahla found herself embroiled in a major scandal in 2013. This was a challenging time that brought the dynamics of the family to light.
By 2020, Nahla had grown significantly in stature and maturity. She had changed into a composed, self-assured young lady at fifteen, frequently appearing to be taller than her mother. Berry posted pictures of Nahla on her 15th birthday, highlighting her development and maturity. Berry wrote in the caption of a photo, “My mini me (but not so mini anymore).” Nahla’s development over the years, highlighted by her public appearances and treasured family times, demonstrates her parents’ unwavering love and support.
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