Highlights
- Richard Simmons mysteriously vanished from the public eye in 2014, triggering numerous conspiracy theories.
- Despite rumors that he was being held hostage, Simmons claimed in a Today Show interview that he was not being controlled.
- Simmons resurfaced in 2024 to reveal his skin cancer diagnosis.
Richard Simmons encapsulated the bold, the brass, and the beautifully over-the-top in life... yet, much of his story remains a mystery. This was a common complaint from Howard Stern, who often attempted to delve deeper into the fitness guru's personal life while interviewing him on his radio show. Often this line of questioning would cause Simmons to dash out of Stern's studio. A similar thing would happen whenever anyone else tried to expose Simmons' personal life, including the question of his sexuality.
Following his 2014 disappearance from Hollywood, fans of Richard Simmons were even more curious about what was happening to him. Then the March 2024 revelation that he is suffering from skin cancer, opened up the issue even further. This article will reveal what we know about Simmons's life in hiding as well as what he's shared about his skin cancer diagnosis.
When Was The Last Time Richard Simmons Was Seen And What Has He Been Doing?
Richard Simmons vanished from the public eye in 2014 following a multi-decade career as a fitness guru, frequent talk show guest, and entertainer. The man was and is absolutely beloved, and this made the end of his career even more heartbreaking. While Simmons has always been private, his decision to omit details surrounding his decision caused numerous controversies and conspiracy theories to arise. Perhaps none more prevalent than the rumor he was being held against his will by his housekeeper, Teresa Reveles. This is something Simmons himself came out of hiding to dispute.
According to The Today Show, Simmons said the following:
"No one is holding me in my house as a hostage. You know, I do what I want to do as I've always done so people should sort of just believe what I have to say."
Then there was the claim that Simmons was secretly dying and therefore wanted to do so in private. This is something he also has disputed, according to Today. So, what did happen and what has Simmons been up to?
Following widespread fame thanks to his "Sweatin to the Oldies" workout videos, appearances on shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway, The Larry Sanders Show, and Saturday Night Live, as well as various talk show appearances, Richard Simmons vanished from the spotlight. He did so over the course of many years, according to Salon. A report from eOnline claimed that Simmons's representatives were quietly turning down offers on Simmons's request. But it wasn't until February 2014 that he disappeared.
RelatedRichard Simmons Shocked Fans By Coming Out Of Hiding And Taking Selfies Outside of His Home
Richard Simmons has been an enigma for years but he once came out of his home to take photos with random fans.
By 2016, Simmons' friends were publicly claiming they hadn't heard from him in two years. This caused numerous conspiracies to start including one from Simmons' assistant, Mauro Oliveira. According to Salon, Oliveria claimed that his boss was being "controlled" by his brother, manager, and housekeeper, Teresa Reveles.
According to CNN, Mauro Oliveria said the following:
“I feel that Richard is now being controlled by the very people that he controlled his whole life. Controlled in the sense that they are taking advantage of his weak mental state. Controlled in the sense that they are controlling his mail, controlling his everything."
Oliveria's comments prompted Simmons to take to his Facebook and say, “I can’t believe I was trending on Facebook! After some questions about my health and whereabouts, I’ll be calling in to 'Today Show' tomorrow morning. If you’re wondering what I’ve been up to, I hope you’ll tune in!”
On The Today Show, Simmons told Savannah Guthrie that he wasn't being held against his will and that no one was controlling him.
"People should sort of just believe what I have to say because, like, I’m Richard Simmons!”
But not long after Simmons made these public declarations, he was hospitalized for "exhibiting strange behavior", according to Salon.
RelatedRichard Simmons Tried To Kiss Howard Stern Against His Will Before Storming Out Of An Interview
Richard Simmons tried to get Howard Stern to be far more affectionate with him than the radio show legend wanted to be.
In a statement to People Magazine, the fitness instructor said, "Thank you to everyone who has reached out with love and concern after hearing I was in the hospital," Simmons said in a statement to People Magazine in 2016.
"I was dehydrated and needed some fluids and now I am feeling great! Summer is here – drink plenty of liquids. Big hugs and kisses for caring."
Following this, Simmons vanished from the spotlight again. This caused journalist Dan Taberski's "Missing Richard Simmons" podcast to gain huge popularity. Taberski even staked Simmons's home to see if he could spot the former fitness guru. He also delved into the conspiracy theory that Simmons was going through a sex change. This rumor even made Simmons's former friend Howard Stern curious as it was endlessly discussed on his SiriusXM radio show.
All of the hubbub caused the LAPD to do a welfare check on Simmons. They deemed he was "of sound mind" and there was no need for concern. But just days later, Simmons was hospitalized again. E-News claimed it was due to him dealing with severe indigestion.
Once again, Simmons took to his Facebook to claim he was fine. But the fitness guru's choice to remain concealed behind his social media accounts caused many of his fans to believe that others were speaking for him.
RelatedDavid Letterman Criticized Richard Simmons' Money Making Schemes During One Of Their Iconic Interviews
Richard Simmons may have appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman several times, but there was one time when the host insulted the fitness guru.
The investigation continued in 2022 with the arrival of the TMZ docuseries, "What Really Happened to Richard Simmons". According to the series, Simmons decided to live a private life after having serious issues with his knee. This caused him to need a double knee surgery. The result of this was his having difficulties walking and exercising, the lifeblood of his career. None of these reports could be verified as Simmons neither confirmed nor denied them.
In 2023, a representative of Simmons reached out to Entertainment Tonight and claimed that he was happy to be celebrating his 75th birthday. But other than this, no news of his life in hiding reached the public. This led to a death hoax in 2024 as well as a supposed biopic put into development with Pauly Shore playing Simmons. Not only did Simmons come out to refute involvement in this biopic but he posted a rather grime comment to his Facebook:
"I have some news to tell you. Please don’t be sad. I am . . . dying. Oh, I can see your faces now. The truth is we all are dying. Every day we live we are getting closer to our death."
Simmons' spokesperson later clarified Simmons' comment in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter saying that he was "not dying". The fitness guru also confirmed that he wasn't dying by taking to Twitter/X.
"Sorry many of you have gotten upset about my message today. Even the press has gotten in touch with me. I am not dying. It was a message about saying how we should embrace every day that we have. Sorry for this confusion. Love, Richard.”
But soon after, Simmons had a very real and serious health update for his fans. He was diagnosed with skin cancer.
What Kind Of Skin Cancer Does Richard Simmons Have?
On March 19th, 2024, Richard Simmons took to his Facebook to reveal that he had been diagnosed with Basal Cell Carcinoma. Simmons was told he had skin cancer after he found a "strange-looking bump under" his right eye.
Basal Cell Carcinoma is a typical, non-life-threatening skin cancer that can be cured via surgery, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Simmons had to see a specialist a total of three times to get the skin cancer removed completely.
"Well the third time was a charm."
Simmons then urged his fans to get themselves checked by a specialist immediately after noticing something out of the ordinary on their body.
After this, Simmons, once again, vanished from the spotlight. Whether he returns in any form or fashion remains to be seen.
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