Richard Simmons passed away accidentally due to complications from recent falls and heart disease, according to a family spokesperson. Tom Estey confirmed the cause and manner of death, referencing a statement linked to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, which informed Simmons’ brother, Lenny, of the details on Wednesday.
Toxicology tests showed that Simmons’ body contained only prescription medications, Estey noted. A representative for the medical examiner’s office stated that more information regarding the cause and manner of death will be released once the autopsy report is complete, although no specific timeline was provided.
Simmons was discovered unresponsive at his Hollywood Hills home on July 13, the day after he celebrated his 76th birthday. He gained fame after overcoming his own weight and health challenges, successfully losing 112 pounds from his peak weight of 268. In the early 1970s, Simmons faced difficulties finding gyms catering to individuals who were not already fit, which inspired him to open his own gym, SLIMMONS, in 1974. The following year, he launched a restaurant called Ruffage and an exercise studio named Anatomy Asylum, both of which attracted a celebrity clientele and contributed to his rising stardom.
Simmons’ influence in the fitness world extended to mass media with shows like “The Richard Simmons Show” and the exercise VHS series “Sweatin’ to the Oldies.” On March 20, he announced on social media that he had been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer, but later updated fans that it had been successfully treated through three procedures.