At 75, Richard Simmons Is ‘Happy’ Years After Dispelling Bizarre Hostage Rumors

Jul 20, 2023

There are few public figures with as much flamboyant positivity as Richard Simmons. He was born Milton Teagle Simmons in 1948 and is best known for his work as a personal fitness personality. Simmons is also an accomplished author and has written 12 books on health, fitness and wellness. 

His books share a message of positivity and encouragement that has always been in alignment with Simmons' work and personality. Some could say Simmons is as well known for his energetic and infectious energy as he is for his fitness advice. 

Despite officially retiring from the public in 2014, Simmons' work still lives on and has inspired a new generation. Beginning in 2020, Simmons began uploading archival content to his YouTube channel for audiences to access for free, including “Sweatin’ to the Oldies.” This shows his continued dedication to helping others stay fit. This is only one of many selfless acts Simmons has done throughout his life and career.

Simmons' dedication to the health and well-being of others was also exemplified when he advocated for non-competitive physical education to be taught in schools. He was a large supporter of the No Child Left Behind Act and The Strengthening Physical Education Act of 2007. Simmons was also an activist after Hurricane Katrina and did several public interviews to raise awareness about the destruction in his home state of Louisiana. 

Now, Simmons is retired and enjoys a slower lifestyle with his dogs. He has chosen to become less visible to the public, which initially raised concerns over his well-being. Those rumors have been debunked, and Simmons himself said he is doing what makes him happy. Read on to learn more about the fitness expert and his decision to step out of the spotlight.

Simmons first rose to fame when he appeared on the reality TV show "Real People." The premise of the series was to showcase the lives of real people, meaning not celebrities, who have unique hobbies or interests. When Simmons was on the show, he introduced customers he had helped lose weight and shared what it was like to run a popular health club. 

After "Real People" aired, Simmons began receiving positive attention from viewers and went on to make guest appearances on a number of popular game shows. Some of the shows he was featured on include "Battlestars," "Body Language," "Hollywood Squares" and "The Price is Right." His popularity would also land him a four-year recurring guest role on the show "General Hospital," where he played himself.

In the early 1980s, Simmons was the host of two popular television series. The first was "Slim Cookin'," and it focused on personal well-being, exercise routines and healthy recipes for cooking at home. The other series was a talk show called "The Richard Simmons Show," and it was a critical success. The show earned Simmons an Emmy Award and drew in thousands of exercise lovers. It ran for four years and ended in 1984.

At times the constant media attention could begin to feel like too much for Simmons. In a 2012 interview with Men's Health, Simmons said, "When the king gets depressed, he doesn't call for his wife or the cook. He turns to the little man with the pointed hat and says to the court jester 'make me laugh.' And I am that court jester."

Fans of Simmons began to grow concerned when he stepped out of the public eye in 2014, and much of the inquiry into his private life came from a podcast called Missing Richard Simmons. Vox reported that the podcast went beyond concern for the star and instead raised questions over the entitlement some people felt over the private lives of celebrities.

In 2016, the Los Angeles Police Department paid a visit to Simmons' estate after claims were made that he was being imprisoned in his home by his housekeeper. After speaking with Simmons directly, the police determined that he was completely safe and that the claims were false.

LAPD detective Kevin Becker told the Huffington Post, "There was something about his housekeeper holding him hostage and not allowing people to see him and preventing him from making phone calls. None of it is true. The fact of the matter is, we went out and talked to him, he is fine, nobody is holding him hostage. He is doing exactly what he wants to do. If he wants to go out in public or see anybody, he will do that."

Becker added, "He is perfectly fine and he is very happy. I don't know what he is going to do, but right now he is doing what he wants to do and it is his business."

The bottom line is that Simmons made the choice to step back and be less publicly visible.

CNN reported that Simmons spoke up for himself and said, "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 because, like, I'm Richard Simmons!" 

Fans were again reassured about Simmons’ health and well-being in 2023, when a representative of the star made a rare statement. On the occasion of Simmons’ 75th birthday on July 12, Tom Estey shared an update with Entertainment Tonight on the fitness guru and said:

“This is a big milestone. I just want to see him happy, which he is.”

The update echoed the same message Estey had shared with the outlet back in 2018 on Simmons’ 70th birthday. He had said then that Simmons was “doing very well. He's his jovial self. He spends most of his time at home and in his yard. He keeps up with his reading and does what he wants to do.” 

Estey, who added the star is “always in touch with his family and close friends,” also touched on some of the rumors and speculation concerning Simmons becoming a recluse and explained:

“He deserves this time to himself. Seventy years is a milestone but he doesn't look at it that way.”

Simmons’ commitment to living his life as he saw fit was spelled out in a missive he had penned for his fans after closing his iconic Beverly Hills exercise studio in 2016. He wrote:

“It’s been over forty years now, and I am finally taking my own advice. I am being kind to myself, and putting myself first. I am making changes and taking time to do the things I want to do. Please know that I am in good health and I am happy. No one has ever been able to tell me what to do and the same is true today. I am still independent, determined and opinionated. I simply am making a new beginning for myself — quietly and in my very own special way.”

Are you a fan of Simmons? What do you think of his choice to stay away from the public eye? Let us know, and feel free to pass this along to your friends and loved ones.