When he was in full swing, Richard Simmons took over our TV sets and earned himself a forever spot in our hearts. The eccentric and energetic fitness guru helped thousands of Americans stay in shape and lose weight during the ’80s.
But in 2014, Richard Simmons abruptly retreated from public life and disappeared completely. Since then, there have been many speculations – with one theory crazier than the other.
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However, there seems to be a simple answer to why Simmons has not been seen since 2014 -– and the real reason might surprise you…
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- Started out as a praline seller
- Why did Richard Simmons change his name?
- Road to television stardom
- Richard Simmons hair and baldness
- Road to Capitol Hill
- Private life, kids, and family
- The disappearance of Richard Simmons
- ”Doing what he wants to do”
Started out as a praline seller
The American fitness guru and television personality Richard Simmons was was born Milton Teagle Simmons on July 12, 1948.
He had a crippled leg and had to wear corrective shoes.
As a child, he grew up in the French Quarter in New Orleans together with his parents who were both involved in show business. His mother earned a living as a tap dancer in Bourbon Streets variety shows.
Growing up in the oldest neighborhood of New Orleans had its benefits if you were an outgoing child – which Richard certainly was. The bustling district was teeming with tourists, and Richard realized he could make a living by guiding tourists through St. Louis. Louis Cathedral and the Musee Conti wax museum. His first “gig” came when he sold pralines in the street corners of the French Quarter.
Richard gained millions of fans and exercise enthusiasts adoring him because of his energy, charm, and inspiring manner. During the ’80s and ’90s, he was a regular guest on The Howard Stern Show, and he often showed up on David Letterman’s talk shows.
For a while, it seemed like Richard popped up everywhere. Many loved to see his happy face, his sparkling tank top, and his short-shorts.
“I receive 25,000 to 30,000 letters a day, and the reason I travel a lot is to meet these people, who are part of my family. I do not think of myself as a celebrity. I basically relate to people like myself,” Richard told People in 1981.
Richard Simmons hair and baldness
When looking at pictures of Richard Simmons, it’s hard to avoid noticing his characteristic, curly hair. Over the years, Richard often dyed his hair in crazy colors. But what is the truth behind his pseudo-afro?
Well, there is a story to tell here as well. In an interview with The Pantagraph in 2008, Richard revealed that the hair on his head is, in fact, the result of three ”horribly painful” hair transplants.
When he was 19, Richard experimented with many dangerous diets. Unfortunately, one of these crash diets had a disastrous effect: it made him bald. Because of this, he went under the knife. Surgeons had to place 4,000 follicles in his scalp to recover what was lost.
Richard opened up about this period in an interview with NPR.
”When I was 19, I starved for two and a half months and I lost 116 pounds and I almost died. And at that point in my life I had to have a rebirth. What does Richard Simmons want and how can he get healthy and continue to do two things: make people laugh and help people? Because that’s all I ever wanted to do in my life”.
Road to Capitol Hill
Richard’s weight-loss and fitness career took him to places he would never have dreamt of as a child. He was really passionate about helping and guiding people – something that he manifested in 2008 when he worked with politicians and supported a bill mandating non-competitive physical education in public schools.
In July 2008, Richard spoke up before a hearing in Congress and demanded the House Education and Labor Committee to expand physical education in public schools. Sporting a glittery tank top and rend-white striped shorts, he talked about his personal journey and urged the politicians to listen.
“Everyone is not a jock. Everyone cannot play sports. Everyone cannot run. But everyone can be fit. “When you’re feeling great about yourself, when you have self-esteem and self-respect for yourself, there isn’t nothing you can’t do,” Simmons said.
Private life, kids, and family
Despite all the years in the spotlight, unusually few details have been leaked about Richard Simmons’ private life. According to him, he has millions of fans – but not many genuine friends. Discussing his personal life is not something that Richard, a devoted Catholic, has been interested in because he did not think there was much to tell about it.
“I do not have a lot to offer to one person. I have a lot to offer to a lot of people,” Simmons told The Pantagraph in 2008.
In the same interview, Richard called himself a loner and said he lived in the Hollywood Hills with his Dalmatians, whom he named after various characters in the iconic movie “Gone With the Wind” (Scarlett, Pittypat, Melanie).
Richard never had any kids, and there have been many speculations on his love life. In 1997, actress Kathy Kinney suddenly claimed that Simmons was gay on the Rosie O’Donnell Show, which caused quite a stir. O’Donnell decided to cut to commercial, not addressing the claims.
”When Kathy Kinney came on my show and outed Richard Simmons, I didn’t try to “in” Richard Simmons. The gay community accused me of in-ing Richard Simmons, like I was trying to make people think that he was straight. I will tell you this: If Richard Simmons ever wants to discuss his private life with me on national TV, he’s welcome to do so. It is not anyone else’s right to do that before he decides it’s time. That’s the reason I said to Kathy Kinney, “We’ll be right back with a commercial.” I’m simply saying that that right belongs to him. [Loudly] And no matter what community you feel he’s a part of or what he represents to you, it is not as relevant as his own truth,” O’Donnell said later.
The disappearance of Richard Simmons
Since Richard Simmons left public life in early 2014, the mystery surrounding the health guru disappearance has intensified. According to Entertainment Tonight, Simmons was last seen in public during a fundraiser in California in January 2014.
After that, things became very quiet around the health guru.
In 2016, Simmons held his last workout at his gym, “Slimmons.” Shortly after that, the club closed its doors without any explanation.
