Richard Simmons’ brother Lenny has some advice for fans of the fitness guru.
“I don’t want people to be sad for my brother,” she said. People.
‘I want him to be remembered for the genuine joy and love he brought to people’s lives. He truly cared about people. He called, wrote and emailed thousands of people throughout his career to offer help.
“So don’t be sad. Celebrate his life,” Lenny continued.
Simmons died on July 13 at age 76, just one day after her birthday. The news came as a shock to everyone who knew the cheerful celebrity both in real life and from afar.
Richard Simmons’ brother Lenny has some advice for fans of the fitness guru, pictured here in 2008.
Lenny mentioned that Simmons, who recently found a new audience on Twitter, had several projects in development that he was excited about after decades out of the public eye.
“He was very excited about all the projects he had coming up,” Lenny told the outlet, adding, “We are in shock. Please respect the family during this difficult time.”
TMZ broke the news of the Sweatin’ to the Oldies instructor’s death on Saturday, July 13.
He was found at his home in Los Angeles and no foul play is suspected.
Simmons’ longtime publicist, Tom Estey, confirmed Richard’s death, saying, “The world has lost an angel.”
Before his death, Simmons shared his birthday plans with People, saying he planned to keep it single and definitely wouldn’t be eating any cake.
“But the candle will probably be on a zucchini. You know, I’m a vegetarian,” he said, adding that he would try “maybe a Pepperidge Farm Milano cookie.”
“I feel good, I’m grateful to be here, to be alive another day. I’m going to spend my birthday doing what I do every day, which is helping people,” he said in a prophetic moment.
Richard has been out of the public eye since 2014 and closed his fitness studio Slimmons in 2016.
“I don’t want people to be sad for my brother,” she told People. “I want him to be remembered for the genuine joy and love he brought to people’s lives,” she is pictured in the 2008 photo.
“He really cared about people. He called, wrote and emailed thousands of people throughout his career to offer help.” “So don’t be sad. Celebrate his life,” Lenny continued. Photographed in 2013
Simmons died on July 13 at the age of 76, one day after her birthday. The news came as a surprise to all who knew the cheerful celebrity both in real life and from afar, photographed in 2008.
After gaining a legion of fans with his infectious enthusiasm and positivity, Simmons stepped away from the spotlight in 2014.
Richard took to Facebook on his birthday to write a note to his fans.
‘Thank you… I’ve never received so many messages about my birthday in my life!
“I’m sitting here writing emails. Have a lovely rest of your Friday. Love you, Richard.”
