WEIGHT-LOSS guru Richard Simmons has shared a bizarre social media post claiming he’s dying before telling his fans to enjoy their life.
Simmons, who voluntarily stepped away from the public eye in 2014, published a rare Facebook post on Monday in which he encouraged his fans to live healthy lives.
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“I have some news to tell you,” the 75-year-old fitness instructor wrote.
“Please don’t be sad. I am… dying. Oh I can see your faces now.
“The truth is we are all dying. Every day we live we are getting closer to our death.
“Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to enjoy your life and to the fullest every single day.
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“Get up in the morning and look at the sky… count your blessings and enjoy.”
Simmons explained to his fans how they must eat a healthy breakfast and lunch and not eat their dinners too late.
“Every day that you are alive you have got to move,” he added.
“Whether it is standing or sitting you have got move your body every day. Start with stretching then cardio and strength.”
Simmons encouraged his followers to check out his workout videos on YouTube and recommended listening to Tim McGraw’s song, Live Like You Were Dying.
“There is something else very important that you must do,” Simmons continued.
“Tell the ones that you love that you love them. Hug those people and children who you really care for. A big hug really goes a long way.
“If you have time I want you to listen to a terrific song. It is by Tim McGraw it is called Live Like You Were Dying. Live today and don’t forget to pray. Love, Richard.”
The thread caused Simmons to receive an influx of posts from worried fans who shared their concerns.
After a few hours, Simmons took to X again to clarify his earlier statement.
“Sorry many of you have gotten upset about my message today. Even the press has gotten in touch with me,” the post read.
“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.”
‘VERY HEALTHY’
Despite the alarming social media post, Simmons’ manager told The Daily Beast that the 75-year-old fitness guru is “very healthy and very happy.”
The reclusive weight-loss instructor was a frequent face on television, famous for his eccentric and flamboyant personality.
After moving to Los Angeles in the 1970s, Simmons took an interest in healthy living and lost over 100 pounds, but noticed that guys catered to people who were already fit.
He started the exercise studio The Anatomy Asylum, which made fitness a fun activity and reinforced positivity with a focus on healthy eating.
Simmons became a staple in the fitness world, making appearances on Late Show with David Letterman and The Howard Stern Show.
UNPLUGGED
However, he unplugged himself from media appearances and the public eye in 2014.
By 2016, speculations and concerns about his health began to surface online.
Simmons was pictured arriving at his Los Angeles home and hiding under a blanket in April 2017, marking the renowned fitness instructor’s last sighting.
In January, he released a rare statement about the upcoming biopic by Warner Bros, The Court Jester, in which Pauly Shore is set to star as the fitness icon.
“Hi Everybody! You may have heard they may be doing a movie about me with Pauly Shore. I have never given my permission for this movie. So don’t believe everything you read,” Simmons wrote on Facebook at the time.
“I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist. I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support.”
Shore responded to Simmons’ concerns, saying the upcoming movie is “all about love.”
“My come from has always been love,” Shore told Variety.
“It’s never been vindictive. I’m not Borat. I’m not ‘let’s make fun of someone.’ It’s the opposite.
“At this point, it’s an unauthorized biopic and they’re made every day. Yes, I want him to put his pixie dust on this and say, ‘Go for it, Pauly.’
“It’s Richard being Richard. It’s sensitive. We don’t want to bug him. We want him to be left alone and we don’t want to bug him.
“We want to pay homage to him and kiss his feet and say he’s done beautiful stuff. Who’s going to play Richard Simmons? Leonardo DiCaprio is not going to play Richard Simmons. I look like him.”