If you mention Richard Simmons’ name – almost everyone born in the last century will know who he is.
Simmons was one of the biggest fitness stars on the planet back in the late ’70s, ’80s and even the ’90s.
He was known for boisterous personality, his curly hair and colourful Lycra outfits.
Simmons was considered the guru of fitness and weight loss, had his own fitness DVDs and a Beverly Hills exercise studio, Slimmons.
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He also became a star in his own right thanks to numerous TV appearances.
But all of a sudden, in 2014, Simmons retreated from the spotlight and became reclusive.
Here, 9honey Celebrity takes a look at what happened to Richard Simmons – with a new biopic set to be released (that he’s panned) – and what he’s up to now.
How did Simmons get into fitness?
Born Milton Teagle “Richard” Simmons, he was reportedly an art student and struggled with his weight in his teenage years before going into the fitness industry.
The now 75-year-old grew up in the French Quarter in New Orleans.
“My father offered me a dollar for every pound I would lose as a kid. It didn’t work. And it doesn’t really work in the long run. Who are you competing against? It’s you,” he previously told Men’s Health.
“I was 200 pounds in the eighth grade,” he added.
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He moved to Los Angeles in the ’70s and soon opened a gym.
He told Men’s Health he changed his perspective on fitness, health and exercise when a nurse asked him, “Do you want to live or do you want to die?” I was maybe 19 or 20 at the time.”
In his 1999 memoir, he said he “came out of his mother’s womb with a fork” and loved fried bacon.
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He told Oprah in the ’80s that he developed an eating disorder after high school.
“I stopped eating and I got to 54kg and I was in the hospital.” However, he soon achieved a healthy approach to his diet.
What is his net worth?
According to multiple outlets, the American star has a net worth of around $20 million (approx. A$30.3 million)
This comes from his successful shows, Slim Cookin and The Richard Simmons Show, as well as infomercials and workout videos.
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He has also been a a New York Times Bestseller with his books.
He is believed to be living in his mansion in the Hollywood Hills.
What happened to Simmons?
In 2014, he suddenly disappeared from the public eye.
His absence sparked many rumours, including one outlandish claim that he was being held hostage by his housekeeper in his West Hollywood home.
The rumours became so prevalent that TMZ even created a documentary about him, titled TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons.
The documentary, released in August 2022, alleged the real reason for Simmons’ retreat from the public eye was a birth defect that left his knees in dire need of replacement in the 2010s.
Ironically, the release of the documentary prompted Simmons to break his silence after years out the public eye, posting a message to fans through Facebook.
The workout star shared a photo of a smiling emoji holding a thank you sign with the message, “Thank you, everyone, for your kindness and love! Love, Richard.”
His manager confirmed at the time that the message was genuine, telling People “He was moved by the reaction to the special and all the good wishes that he received. He was encouraged by the kindness.”
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In 2017, he was reportedly hospitalised for severe indigestion, but afterwards, assured fans he was doing 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,” he said at the time.
Last year, he shared an update with fans to mark his 75th birthday, after remaining out of the spotlight since 2014.
In a statement to Entertainment Tonight, his representative Tom Estey confirmed: “This is a big milestone. I just want to see him happy, which he is.”
Simmons’ private life and relationships
Simmons has never publicly addressed his sexuality and never married.
He reportedly told ET recently: “The people that surround me are wonderful people who take good care of me.”
The biopic and Simmons’ reaction
Simmons, 75, has spoken out about the release of his biopic, which is is set to star actor Pauly Shore.
Leading the past few decades of his life reclusively, Simmons has condemned the upcoming film in a Facebook post.
“Hi Everybody! You may have heard they may be doing a movie about me with Pauly Shore. I have never given my permission for this movie. So don’t believe everything you read,” he wrote.
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“I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist. I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support.”
Variety reports that the film’s production company, The Wolper Organization said: “While we would love to have [Simmons] involved, we respect his desire to privacy and plan to produce a movie that honours him, celebrates him and tells a dramatic story.”
They added: “We know he is deeply private and we would never want to invade that, however, he is an amazing person that changed millions of peoples’ lives, and the effect he has had on the world needs to be recognised.”
Titled The Court Jester, a short film will also premiere on Jan. 19th, at the Sundance Film Festival, it will then be available to watch on YouTube, it will also star Shore as Simmons, but is unrelated to the biopic.