RICHARD Simmons found fame as a flamboyant fitness guru but now leads a life away from the limelight.
He started a fitness studio and became a popular media personality before becoming a recluse, leading to an extensive net worth.
What is Richard Simmons’ net worth?
Richard Simmons, real name Milton Teagle Simons, was born on July 12, 1948.
The fitness personality and actor has amassed millions over his career despite largely disappearing from public life.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Richard has an estimated net worth of $20 million.
The Sweatin’ To The Oldies star has earned money through his fitness videos and Los Angeles’ exercise studio, Slimmons.
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On Saturday, July 13, TMZ reported the fitness icon passed away at the age of 76. His death came just a day after he celebrated his birthday.
He took to Facebook on his birthday to thank his fans for the well wishes.
“Thank you…I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life! I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday,” he wrote on Facebook.
What is Richard Simmons best known for?
Simmons became a household name as a fitness expert, helped by his eccentric and flamboyant personality.
He also released a series of aerobics videos.
Simmons began his weight-loss career by opening his exercise studio called The Anatomy Asylum, which later became known as Slimmons, in Beverly Hills and went on to find fame due to his media appearances as well as the promotion of his products.
Simmons boosted his appeal by often making appearances on TV and radio shows as well as featuring in adverts.
Among his media appearances, he appeared on Late Show With David Letterman and The Howard Stern Show.
He also popped up in the long-running TV show General Hospital as well as Arrested Development.
He also hosted The Richard Simmons Show which ran from 1980 to 1984.
Was Richard Simmons diagnosed with cancer?
On March 19, 2024, Richard revealed he was diagnosed with skin cancer in a lengthy Facebook post.
“I sat in his chair and he looked at it through a magnifying mirror. He told me he would have to scrape it and put it under the microscope,” he recalled.
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“Now I am getting a little bit nervous. He comes back about 20 minutes later and says the C word. ‘You have cancer.'”
He was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, which is the most common form of skin cancer.
The 80s star underwent a procedure that burned his skin to remove the cancer.
Richard’s skin cancer diagnosis reveal comes after he claimed he was “dying” in a Facebook post on March 18.
He wrote: “I have some news to tell you. Please don’t be sad. I am…. dying.”
After many shared concerns for Richard, he later clarified that he wasn’t actually dying via X/Twitter.
“Sorry many of you have gotten upset about my message today. Even the press has gotten in touch with me. I am not dying,” he corrected himself.
“It was a message about saying how we should embrace every day that we have. Sorry for this confusion.”