Richard Simmons, the iconic fitness guru, passed away at the age of 76 in Los Angeles. Just two days before his death, Simmons granted an exclusive interview to People, where he opened up about his life, health struggles, and his impact on his fans.
Despite battling skin cancer earlier in the year, Simmons remained positive and continued to reach out to his fans through emails and phone calls. He expressed gratitude for being able to live another day and connect with his supporters, even though he admitted that he missed being in the public eye.
In the interview, Simmons also revealed that he was working on a Broadway musical about his life with songwriter Patrick Leonard. The musical would tell the story of Simmons’ journey from selling pralines in New Orleans to becoming a beloved fitness icon.
Reflecting on his decision to step away from the public eye, Simmons expressed a sense of disappointment that no one had taken his place in the fitness industry. Despite his fame and influence, he remained humble and down-to-earth, rejecting labels like “legend” or “icon”.
Simmons acknowledged that he was a shy person and an introvert, but he found joy in making people happy through his work. He cherished the messages of support from his fans and emphasized that he was just a regular person like everyone else.
In his final interview, Simmons shared a poignant lyric from the Broadway show he was working on, which took on a deeper meaning after his passing. The lyric reflected on loss and the belief in angels welcoming us with a smile when our time comes to leave this world.
Richard Simmons’ legacy as a fitness icon and a source of inspiration for many will continue to live on, both through his work and the memories shared by his fans. His Broadway musical project may serve as a fitting tribute to his life and the impact he had on those around him.