Where is Richard Simmons now? Did he die? Untold Facts

Richard Simons is a 74-year-old fitness mogul and public figure who rose to the limelight with his energetic, flamboyant and athletic personality. He became popular for his aerobics workout videos and his wide fame on television.

Simmons started making workout videos in 1968 and was actively working until 2014 when he disappeared out of the blue. After this, people started conspiring with various speculations and theories behind his disappearance. Some went so far as to say he was being held captive by his housekeepers, while some claimed his death.

However, after three years of complete silence and mystery, Richard spoke out, revealing that he just wanted to make time for the public eye. So what is Richard Simmons doing now? Does he still work as a fitness freak? Read more about Richard Simmons here.

Richard Simmons disappears from the public eye: He Is Alive & Kicking

In 2014, the flamboyant fitness mogul suddenly disappeared from the public eye without any warning or even a goodbye. At first, people thought it was some kind of PR stunt, but after his studio closed in 2016, people started wondering and came up with different theories.

Simmons’ fans and followers even assumed he was being held hostage by his own housekeeper, while some believed he was kidnapped by a burglar theory.

Fast-forwarding to 2017, LAPD released a statement saying that he is alive and doing good. In a statement, LAPD said:

“Simmons is fine and does what he wants to do and it’s his business” after going for a wellness check.

Also after a month Richard himself released a statement proverb “I don’t miss, just a bit under the weather” and assured his fans that he was fine, along with a photo of him.

He wrote,

“Hello to everyone who has shown concern for me and sent them well wishes. You will never know how much it means to me. Aren’t you tired of hearing and reading about me?! LOL Well you know by now that I I’m not “wrong”, just a little under the weather. I’m sure I’ll feel good and be home in a few days.”

Although the message was intended to be some sort of relief news, it had a negative effect. After a few fans noticed that the photo was from 2013, they started to assume that the person posting the message wasn’t Richard at all.

The post made his fans worry more about him than they were at peace.

Richard Simmons speaks years after his disappearance

After six years of speculation and rumours, Simmons broke his silence about his break from the public eye through his spokesperson, Tom Estey.

During an interview with NY Post, Tom said he is grateful for the continued support and is living a happy and healthy life. He said,

“Richard is eternally grateful for the continued outpouring of love and gratitude he has received from around the world. He is happy, healthy and living the life he has chosen to live.”

Moreover, Simmons himself placed, “Thank you, everyone, for your kindness and love. Love, Richard.” on his official Facebook profile.

The statement comes a few days after TMZ released a documentary, TMZ investigates: What really happened to Richard Simmons on Fox and Hulu.

Real reason behind Richard’s sudden quiet lifestyle? Was he sick?

Although the fan favorite told his fans he was taking a break, a doctor revealed that the only reason behind his retirement was his knee problems.

As TMZ editor-in-chief, Fabian Garcia said in the documentary, Richard needed a left knee replacement. She said,

“Doctors told him in 2014 that he needed a left knee replacement, and if he didn’t get one, he might never be able to exercise again.”

She further added,

“This is the key to Richard Simmons’ disappearance. The prospect of surgery, of becoming sedentary, sent Richard sinking into a deep depression.

Likewise, in 2017, Denise, a close friend of Simmons also revealed that the reason behind his absconding was his knee injury.

Being a worldwide beloved fitness celebrity, the fact that he won’t be able to do what he loves is undoubtedly too much for Richard.

Where is Richard Simmons now?

The 74-year-old media personality lives a very quiet and private lifestyle in his Los Angeles home, away from the limelight.

According to various sources, Richard still goes shopping and likes to hang out on the beach. Although no media outlet and Dad managed to capture his outing, he is still alive and still privately taking care of himself.

Likewise, his reps are also re-uploading his content on his self-titled YouTube channel to keep his fitness legacy alive.

Here are some of the most commonly heard conspiracy theories about Richard

• Richard has reached his Greta Garbo stage and wants to be alone.
• Simmons is held hostage by his housekeeper Teresa Reveles, a witch.
• He loses his mental faculties after a long battle with depression.
• His knees are weak.

Richard Simmons’ Earnings, Net Worth and Social Media Profile

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Simmons’ current net worth is approximately $20 million. He made his fortune with his successful career as a fitness trainer, media personality and talk show host.

As of 2022, he will live in his 4,119-square-foot colonial-style Hollywood Hills mansion worth approximately $6.8 million. Simmons bought the property in 1982 for just $670,000.

Moreover, he is active on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube with approximately 410k followers, over 22k and over 39.9k subscribers respectively.

Has fitness guru Richard Simmons ever married a woman?

The 74-year-old trainer has been in the limelight for three decades and ruled the fitness world far ahead of everyone else. Since he had a very busy schedule full of hosting TV shows, traveling, running his own studio and all that, he certainly never had a chance to start a family.

As many will understand by now, he really enjoys his time alone. Further, no details about his affairs and relationships have appeared on the internet.

How old is Richard Simmons now? Details of his early life

Milton Teagle “Richard” Simmons was born on July 12, 1948 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, to Shirley May Satin and Leonard Douglas Simmons Sr. He recently turned 74 years old in 2022.

His father worked in a thrift store while his mother was a traveling fan dancer turned cosmetics saleswoman. Likewise, he grew up alongside his older brother Leonard Jr.

Simmons Educational Details

He attended Cor Jesu High School, a male-only preparatory school in New Orleans, Louisiana.

He then attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette before transferring to Florida State University and earning his BA in Art.

First career details of Richard Simmons

Although he was born Milton Teagle, he settled with Richard as his stage/professional name after one of his uncles named Richard paid his tuition. During his college days, he appeared in two shows titled satyricon and the clowns.

Later in the 1970s, Simmons moved to Los Angeles in search of better opportunities and began working as a maitre d’hotel at a Beverly Hills restaurant, Derek’s.

Richard grew up as an obese teenager and became fond of fitness, weight loss exercises and more. He later opened several gyms that eventually helped him lose an incredible 56 kg or 123 lbs.

His practice studio called The Anatomical Shelter (later renamed Slimmons) mainly focused on healthy eating habits with a pleasant supportive atmosphere. The studio also had a salad bar called ruffage which was later removed as the studio’s sole focus was on exercise.

With the help of the internet and his own establishment, Richard has reportedly helped others lose about 5.5 million kg or 12 million pounds during the peak of his career. The studio closed in November 2016, two years after Simmons vanished into thin air.

Aside from his fitness journey, he also hosted the Emmy Award-winning talk show The Richard Simmons Show in the early 1980s.