Richard Simmons acknowledged his legion of adoring fans in a moving interview he gave just two days before his death at 76 on Saturday.
Simmons spoke with People Thursday, a day before he celebrated his 76th birthday and two days prior to his death at his home in Los Angeles.
At the conclusion of the interview, the fitness impresario was told by the outlet that he had been ‘missed’ after keeping a low profile over the past decade, and asked if he understood the fondness fans had for him.
‘I know people miss me,’ Simmons told the outlet. ‘And you know what? I miss them, too. But I’m able to reach them through phone calls… and through emails.’
Simmons also revealed in his final interview that he had emerged into the public while concealing his appearance.
Richard Simmons acknowledged his legion of adoring fans in a moving interview he gave just two days before his death at 76 on Saturday. Pictured in August of 2013 in LA
The fitness impresario was pictured at a March 1999 event at the University of Nebraska
‘I do leave the house sometimes,’ Simmons said. ‘But I’m in disguise.’
The outlet reported that the interview with Simmons just prior to his passing was his first since 2014, the year he stopped making public appearances.
The New Orleans-born star, who had been a staple on television promoting his fitness industry endeavors – including studios, books, weight loss programs and videos – had been at the center of speculation over the past decade after he ceased making public appearances, spurring speculation about his safety and well-being.
Sources close to the late celebrity told the outlet that the reason he bowed out of the public eye was a knee surgery he had undergone, and a second surgery on the knee that he had refused to undergo.
Simmons told People on Thursday that he’d also had a skin cancer scare after undergoing a procedure to have it extracted earlier this year.
‘Basal cell carcinoma, it was scary,’ Simmons said of the ailment. ‘But it never came back.’
Simmons told the outlet that he strived to spread optimism and positivity to those dealing with similar health battles.
‘So many people have cancer,’ Simmons said. ‘I call them, I sing to them: “You’re gonna get through this. You just have to believe that.”‘
Sources close to the late celebrity told the outlet that the reason he bowed out of the public eye was a knee surgery he had undergone, and a second surgery on the knee that he had refused to undergo. Pictured in NYC in 2006
Simmons told the outlet he had been collaborating on a musical with composer Patrick Leonard in recent months. Pictured in October 2013
Simmons told the outlet he had been collaborating on a musical with composer Patrick Leonard in recent months.
‘I’ve written 14 songs for a Broadway show,’ he said. ‘And I’m working with an amazing man – Patrick Leonard. I don’t know if you know his name, but he wrote music for Madonna, Elton John. He’s like one of the biggest.
‘And we talk a couple of times a week. I write the lyrics, and he writes the music. The whole show is about my life – from selling pralines in New Orleans at a candy store when I was a kid, to when I decided to retire.’
Simmons had been gradually reemerging into his public persona, communicating on X/Twitter, Facebook and YouTube earlier this year, and via email with his fans.
He told People Thursday, ‘Today is a beautiful day. But nothing’s really different. I got up this morning. I said my prayers, I counted my blessings, and then I went to work.
‘You know? And writing messages, answering emails – and when the email is real extreme, I ask for their numbers, and I call them. I’m feeling great, cause I’m helping people.’
His final social media post came on Saturday, quoting a line from the 1968 musical comedy Funny Girl.
Simmons had been gradually reemerging into his public persona, communicating on X/Twitter, Facebook and YouTube earlier this year, and via email with his fans. Pictured in August 2013
Simmons was asked about his low-profile interactions with his fans, telling the outlet that his measure of success was the number of people he had provided assistance and inspiration to.
‘Well, when I decided to retire, it was because my body told me I needed to retire,’ Simmons said. ‘I have spent time just reflecting on my life. All of the books I wrote, the videos.
‘I never was like, “Oh look what I’ve done.” My thing was, “Oh, look how many people I helped.”‘