Beloved '80s fitness star Richard Simmons dies aged 76

Richard Simmons, beloved '80s fitness star, has died aged 76, according to multiple outlets.

The fitness instructor's longtime publicist, Tom Estey, confirmed the news to People. It comes just a few days after Simmons celebrated his 76th birthday.

According to the reports, the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a 911 call to his home from his housekeeper. It is believed Simmons has died of natural causes.

IN PHOTOS: All the celebrities spotted watching Wimbledon

Just hours before his death, Simmons took to X (formerly Twitter) with a message thanking fans for their birthday wishes.

"Thank you…I never got so many messages  about my birthday in my life! I am sitting here writing emails," Simmons wrote.

"Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday. Love, Richard."

READ MORE: What happened to Gilmore Girls star Kelly Bishop?

Earlier this year, Simmons shocked fans when he revealed he had been diagnosed with skin cancer years earlier.

The former TV personality sparked concern about his health this week when he said he was "dying," in a post.

"I have had a tremendous amount of responses on my message regarding skin cancer," he wrote on Facebook.

"It happened so many years ago. The reason I wrote these two messages is that if you see a spot on your body please go to your doctor… so they can diagnose it right away. I guess I should be more careful about what I write about. Love, Richard."

In another post, he said he got the all-clear from doctors and urged fans to see a doctor.

Simmons rose to fame in the 1980s after he became a TV fitness icon.

He was known for his boisterous personality, his curly hair and his colourful Lycra outfits.

Simmons was considered the guru of fitness and weight loss, had his own fitness DVDs and a Beverly Hills exercise studio, Slimmons.

In 2014, however,  Simmons retreated from the spotlight and became reclusive.

The rumours became so prevalent that TMZ even created a documentary about him, titled TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons.

In recent years, Simmons has been outspoken on social media. He made headlines in 2023 after speaking out about the release of his biopic, which was set to star actor Pauly Shore.

Simmons condemned the upcoming film in a Facebook post after years of silence.

"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," he wrote.

"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."

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.