Richard Simmons Found Dead At 76 After Falling In Bathroom; Police Investigating Fitness Guru's Death
Richard Simmons has died. The legendary fitness guru was 76.
Just four months after he announced his cancer diagnosis, TMZ broke the news that law enforcement responded to Simmons' home in Los Angeles after receiving a call from a housekeeper Saturday morning.
Simmons was pronounced dead at the scene.
His longtime publicist Tom Estey confirmed Simmons' death to People, saying, "The world has truly lost an angel."
The professional fitness coach fell in a bathroom at his residence, unnamed sources told TMZ. It is unclear if that was where he was found.
Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department's Robbery Homicide Division were among those who responded to the call.
However, authorities do not suspect that foul play is involved in Simmons' death.
The star's passing is being investigated by police as a natural death, according to the outlet.
Simmons had not been seen in public since 2014, when he took a break following a knee injury.
Simmons' death came just a day after he celebrated his 76th birthday. He shared a series of posts on Facebook Saturday to mark the occasion.
In one post, he uploaded a childhood photo of himself celebrating his first birthday.
Accompanying the photo was a lengthy message in which he opened up about how he and his older brother Lenny would celebrate their birthdays growing up.
Simmons also thanked the fans who wished him a happy birthday.
"So many of you have sent me birthday wishes on my Facebook and other platforms. I really appreciate that. I don't know when your birthday is, but I wish you a happy and healthy birthday!" he wrote before concluding his message with: "Love, Richard."
Hours later, Simmons once again expressed his gratitude to everyone who sent him birthday greetings.
"Thank you...I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life! I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday. Love, Richard," he wrote in another post.
Simmons made his last post on Facebook Saturday morning local time.
Thousands of fans and social media users expressed their sadness over his passing in the comments section of his final posts.
"Richard, no!!!! I can't believe you're gone!" one fan wrote. "I truly have looked up to your positivity ever since I was a little girl! I always loved reading your posts as well! This doesn't feel real."
"Rest in peace, dear Richard Simmons. We are so glad you resurfaced and were sharing your joy with all of us. You were loved," another person commented.
Another comment read: "I hope you're being celebrated in heaven, Richard. I pray you're at peace now. Thank you for helping me, and so MANY others, with your kind [and] loving heart."
"You inspired me," a fourth user wrote. "You are now a true angel!"
Throughout his career as a fitness coach, Simmons produced over 50 workout videos, made numerous talk show appearances, and released five bestselling books. He also taught classes at his Slimmons studio in Beverly Hills.
In March, Simmons revealed via Facebook that he had been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer.
He said he underwent a procedure to remove the cancerous cells, and it was successful.
