“Complications from recent falls and heart disease” led to fitness guru Richard Simmons’ accidental death, according to his brother, Lenny. Drugs were not a factor.
A spokesperson for the Simmons family, Tom Estey, gave a fuller picture in a statement to People on Wednesday. “This morning, Richard Simmons’ brother Lenny received a call from the L.A. Coroner’s office,” he said. “The Coroner informed Lenny that Richard’s death was accidental due to complications from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing factor. The toxicology report was negative other than medication Richard had been prescribed. The Family wishes to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support during this time of great loss.”
Although the once omnipresent Simmons, whose Sweatin’ to the Oldies became an Eighties signpost, had seemed reclusive in recent years, news of his death last month still came as a shock. “Richard Simmons always wanted people to feel good and be happy,” Jane Fonda said following his death. “He would go out of his way to make people happy. … He once popped out of a huge cake at the launch of some Jane Fonda WORKOUT event. That was generous.”
Despite appearing rarely, Simmons remained active on social media. After his death, his staff shared a post he had scheduled for July 14, a day after his death. It depicted him in an orange NASA uniform and bore the caption: “Let me fly you to the moon so we can gaze among the stars. Love, Richard.”
In his final interview, which People published the day of his death, Simmons said he had wanted to turn his life story into a Broadway show in collaboration with songwriter Patrick Leonard. He also expressed existential angst. “How do you deal with loss?” he said, possibly reading audio from a note for Leonard. “It takes a toll on your heart. Some shed many tears, others stare at the sky. It’s so hard to say goodbye. Here is what I know when it’s time for us to go, beautiful angels will greet us with a smile and a hello.”
Hoyt Richards as a young man.
