(ProsperNews.net) – Fitness icon Richard Simmons has died at age 76. Known for his “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” workout instruction videos, Simmons died days after his birthday after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Los Angeles home. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) confirmed that its officers pronounced him dead at the scene. The fitness coach had previously recovered from cancer and recently told reporters that he was grateful for every day.
Mr. Simmons left the spotlight around a decade ago, but in March, he publicly announced he had received a skin cancer diagnosis. He wrote on Facebook that he had discovered a small bump under his eye, which he initially self-treated with Neosporin, but without success. “It was time to call my dermatologist,” he wrote.
In a lengthy post, he described meeting his doctor, who “scraped” some of the lump for examination. The doctor returned to the examination room around 20 minutes later, Simmons wrote, and told him he had cancer. The diagnosis was of Basel Cell Carcinoma, and Simmons subsequently underwent treatment he described as “burning.”
When the fitness guru posted a message to social media saying he was dying, it caused a stir amongst his fans. A representative posted a second statement saying Simmons was not dying but intended his message as a general remark that everyone is dying and should, therefore, enjoy life as much as possible.
Born in New Orleans in 1948, Mr. Simmons opened his first gym in Beverly Hills, California, in the 1970s, having suffered from obesity throughout his childhood and teens. He later appeared in the soap opera General Hospital and was awarded a recurring role – playing himself – lasting four years. He authored several books about healthy eating and numerous exercise videos and audio discs.
In 2016, he made headlines when friends said they feared he was held hostage by his housekeeper, prompting police to conduct a welfare check. Officers confirmed he was okay and not held against his will.
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