Fitness icon Richard Simmons finally addresses mysterious 'disappearance'
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Sweatin' to the Oldies, starring Richard Simmons, was a series of best-selling VHS cassettes that popularised exercise among the general public before the advent of YouTube at-home workouts.
Simmons was a prominent figure and former fitness guru abroad, and he was once known for his flamboyant behaviour and high levels of energy.
But after decades in the public eye, the fitness instructor mysteriously vanished.
Fitness guru Richard Simmons finally speaks up after remaining silent for the past six years. Credit: Getty Images for MTV.
The last time anyone saw Simmons was on February 15, 2014, when he allegedly quit teaching at his highly regarded fitness studio, which later closed down permanently.
The hit podcast Missing Richard Simmons has added to the mystery of where he is and why he hasn't been seen in public.
For example, there have been vague and baseless allegations that Simmons' housekeeper is holding him hostage in his Hollywood Hills home, or that he might have transitioned into a woman, among other things.
After five years of silence, fitness expert Richard Simmons has finally addressed his fans in response to the new TMZ documentary What Really Happened to Richard Simmons, which covered his reclusiveness.
On August 24, just a few days after the documentary's release, Simmons posted a surprising update to his public Facebook account.
'Thank you, everyone, for your kindness and love! Love, Richard,' the 74-year-old fitness star wrote in the post with an image of a smiley face holding a 'Thank you' sign.
It was confirmed by Simmons' manager to People that the comment was indeed written by the ex-celebrity himself.
They added: 'He was moved by the reaction to the special and all the good wishes that he received. He was encouraged by the kindness.'
According to the TMZ documentary, Simmons' withdrawal from public view began in the 2010s because of a genetic disorder that required him to have one of his knees replaced.
'Doctors told him back in 2014, around the time he disappeared, that he needed a left knee replacement. And if he didn't get one, he might never be able to exercise again,' said the program.
'Now, this is key to the disappearance of Richard Simmons. The prospect of surgery, of becoming sedentary, caused Richard to sink into a deep depression.'
'We know still to this day Richard still hasn't gotten corrective surgery on his left knee. He walks with a cane, and that explains a lot. He's just not the same guy anymore.'
Simmons was a famous TV and fitness star from the 1980s until the 2000s. Credit: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal.
According to Tom Estey, one of Simmons's spokespersons, in an interview with the New York Post, 'Richard is eternally grateful for the continuous outpouring of love and gratitude he has received from across the globe.'
'He is happy, healthy and living the life he has chosen to live.'
Hundreds of fans and followers of Simmons flooded the comments section of the Facebook post.
'We miss you Richard but hope you are doing what is right for you. You have given me so much joy for years. It is your time now; you deserve peace and happiness,' one of the fans wrote.
Another commented, 'I'm so proud of you for taking time for yourself. You've given so much of yourself to the world, and now it's your time. Good for you.'
'Thank YOU. I always felt like I had a pal growing up because of you,' said a third, while a fourth user added: 'You have been such a wonderful human, with so much compassion and care for so many people. The world loves you!'
What are your thoughts, folks? Are you also familiar with Mr Simmons and the workout programs he created? If so, were you ever curious about where he was after he 'disappeared'? Let us know in the comments!
Simmons was a prominent figure and former fitness guru abroad, and he was once known for his flamboyant behaviour and high levels of energy.
But after decades in the public eye, the fitness instructor mysteriously vanished.
Fitness guru Richard Simmons finally speaks up after remaining silent for the past six years. Credit: Getty Images for MTV.
The last time anyone saw Simmons was on February 15, 2014, when he allegedly quit teaching at his highly regarded fitness studio, which later closed down permanently.
The hit podcast Missing Richard Simmons has added to the mystery of where he is and why he hasn't been seen in public.
For example, there have been vague and baseless allegations that Simmons' housekeeper is holding him hostage in his Hollywood Hills home, or that he might have transitioned into a woman, among other things.
After five years of silence, fitness expert Richard Simmons has finally addressed his fans in response to the new TMZ documentary What Really Happened to Richard Simmons, which covered his reclusiveness.
On August 24, just a few days after the documentary's release, Simmons posted a surprising update to his public Facebook account.
'Thank you, everyone, for your kindness and love! Love, Richard,' the 74-year-old fitness star wrote in the post with an image of a smiley face holding a 'Thank you' sign.
It was confirmed by Simmons' manager to People that the comment was indeed written by the ex-celebrity himself.
They added: 'He was moved by the reaction to the special and all the good wishes that he received. He was encouraged by the kindness.'
According to the TMZ documentary, Simmons' withdrawal from public view began in the 2010s because of a genetic disorder that required him to have one of his knees replaced.
'Doctors told him back in 2014, around the time he disappeared, that he needed a left knee replacement. And if he didn't get one, he might never be able to exercise again,' said the program.
'Now, this is key to the disappearance of Richard Simmons. The prospect of surgery, of becoming sedentary, caused Richard to sink into a deep depression.'
'We know still to this day Richard still hasn't gotten corrective surgery on his left knee. He walks with a cane, and that explains a lot. He's just not the same guy anymore.'
Simmons was a famous TV and fitness star from the 1980s until the 2000s. Credit: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal.
According to Tom Estey, one of Simmons's spokespersons, in an interview with the New York Post, 'Richard is eternally grateful for the continuous outpouring of love and gratitude he has received from across the globe.'
'He is happy, healthy and living the life he has chosen to live.'
Hundreds of fans and followers of Simmons flooded the comments section of the Facebook post.
'We miss you Richard but hope you are doing what is right for you. You have given me so much joy for years. It is your time now; you deserve peace and happiness,' one of the fans wrote.
Another commented, 'I'm so proud of you for taking time for yourself. You've given so much of yourself to the world, and now it's your time. Good for you.'
'Thank YOU. I always felt like I had a pal growing up because of you,' said a third, while a fourth user added: 'You have been such a wonderful human, with so much compassion and care for so many people. The world loves you!'
What are your thoughts, folks? Are you also familiar with Mr Simmons and the workout programs he created? If so, were you ever curious about where he was after he 'disappeared'? Let us know in the comments!
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