After breaking his silence about his disappearance, fitness coach Richard Simmons’ rep has now opened up.
And everyone is super glad Simmon’s is back in the public eye.
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Richard Simmons was at the height of his career back in the 1980s and the 1990s.
The fitness enthusiast was always spotted wearing his iconic striped dolphin shorts and a tank top that was bedazzled with Swarovski crystals.
It was his positive and bubbly personality that attracted people to get their bodies moving.
But how did he get into working out and staying healthy?
Well, as a teenager and young adult, Simmons struggled with obesity…
As well as experiencing many difficulties because of his weight.
But before he began walking on the road to fitness, Simmons worked as the maître d’ at the famous Beverly Hills restaurant Derek’s as well as also working in advertising.
It was between these experiences that he felt it would be a good idea to start his own gym.
And this was the turning factor in Simmons’ life…
Where he desperately wanted to change and began working out.
Fitness quickly became part of his lifestyle and soon evolved into a passion.
He even lost more than 100 pounds, inspiring others to follow in his footsteps.
While Simmons was able to help people in his community, he still had an urge to reach a wider audience…
And so he created workout videos on VHS and people began raving about the fitness guru through word of mouth.
Since then his legacy of fitness still lives on…
And his positive approach to losing weight is unforgettable.
After finding massive success as a fitness guru, Simmons changed his gym’s name to Slimmons in order to reflect the inviting and positive nature the gym hoped to achieve.
His gym became one of the most respected gyms in the area and served its local community for more than 40 years. Simmons worked at his gym until February 2014, when he suddenly just stepped away.
Even those who worked with Simmons at his gym could tell something was wrong on his last day…
Later it was revealed that he decided to step down from his work in order to focus on his health.
The 74-year-old was last seen on February 15, 2014, when he closed his fitness studio.
Back in 2017, Simmons spoke out for the first time in 3 years following his hospitalization for stomach problems.
“Hello to everyone who has shown concern for me and sent their good wishes. You will never know how much it means to me. Aren’t you sick of hearing and reading about me?! LOL Well by now you know that I’m not ‘missing,’ just a little under the weather. I’m sure I will be feeling good and back home in a couple of days,” Simmons told PEOPLE at the time.
But what’s even more interesting is the fact he made a comeback in the pandemic…
Simmons sort of emerged back into the spotlight during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
Where he re-released workout videos on his YouTube channel to help others stay fit while in lockdown.
And now, his close friend and actress, Suzanne Somers, recalled her last encounter with him in the new “TMZ Investigates” documentary What Really Happened to Richard Simmons.
“One night I was on the Larry King show and he was either going to be a guest or supposed to be a guest, and I heard through the Larry King people that he didn’t want to be on the show with me,” she said.
Simmons was a regular on the late-night talk show. Somers went on and said he may have been insecure.
“I said, ‘Why?’ and he said, ‘He’ll make fun of me.’ And that’s not my style, I never make fun of anybody. But that’s when I realized a little insecurity has gotten in there,” she added.
But that’s not all…
“I liked him. I was always so surprised when he thought I’d make fun of him. But doesn’t that show you he’s got heartache? Something’s broken inside because he did it. He had it and then let it go,” the actress said.
How interesting.
But now, his silence has been broken.
Following the airing of a documentary from TMZ about his life, Simmons posted a message on his Facebook account.
TMZ reports that it’s the first message directly from Simmons in 8 years.
He simply wrote: “Thank you, everyone, for your kindness and love! ❤️ Love, Richard.”
And now his rep disclosed something about the star fitness coach that you probably didn’t know…
Trust us and keep scrolling!
Fans were thrilled to hear that Simmons was in good health and in high spirits…
And some even responded to his Facebook message.
“You are very much loved, please never doubt that. You have done so much good in so many people’s lives. Thank you for all that you have done and are still doing. None of us will ever forget you!” said one fan.
“I knew it was you, Richard!” added the fan.
While another chipped in and said that everyone missed him.
“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…”
“Thank you for saving my life over and over again, I am forever grateful for you,” said another fan.
According to reports, Simmon’s rep Tom Estey even told The New York Post that the fitness coach is truly happy with all the love and support.
And even added he’s grateful.
“Richard is eternally grateful for the continuous outpouring of love and gratitude he has received from across the Globe,” he said.
“He is happy, healthy, and living the life he has chosen to live,’ he concluded.
Well, there you have it.