Richard Simmons turned 76 on Friday and revealed his fun plans to celebrate the milestone in a very rare interview.
Simmons, who stepped away from the spotlight in 2014, said she will blow out a candle on her special day, but it will have a quirky twist in line with her lifestyle.
He said People: ‘But the candle will probably be in a zucchini. You know, I’m a vegetarian.
Reflecting on his 76th birthday, he added: “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.”
Comes after Richard revealed she was diagnosed with skin cancer in an emotional Facebook post after discovering a “strange looking lump” under her right eye.
Richard Simmons turned 76 on Friday and revealed his fun plans to celebrate the milestone in a very rare interview – photo from 1992
The announcement in March came just days after the Recluse star sparked fears she was dying with a worrying social media post, writing: “The truth is we are all dying.”
After calling a dermatologist, the fitness pioneer recalled feeling “a little nervous” after the doctor looked at his mysterious lump “through a magnifying mirror.”
“He told me he would have to scrape it off and put it under a microscope,” the New Orleans native told his followers. “He came back about 20 minutes later and said the C-word.”
She continued: “I asked him what kind of cancer he had and he said basal cell carcinoma. I told him to stop calling me names. He laughed.”
Simmons was then told she needed to go “to an oncologist right away.”
To treat the cancer, she said her doctor explained that she needed to “burn” her “skin to get rid of the cancer cells.”
“There was no anesthesia, just a little instrument,” the actor said. “When he started burning my skin, a tear fell down my cheek. You can’t cry while that’s happening, and he wiped the tear away. The burn really hurt my skin. It lasted about 30 minutes.”
Simmons, who stepped away from the spotlight in 2014, said she will blow out a candle for her special day, but it will have a quirky twist to match her lifestyle. She told People: “But the candle will probably be in a zucchini. You know, I’m a vegetarian.” Photographed in 2013
After the procedure, she was told to come back in an hour and a half to see if they had “taken everything out.”
“After walking around the city, I came across some sad news,” she said. “I couldn’t get out all the things she had told me. My face burned again. This time it was worse than before… It was deeper. This time I didn’t cry, but I did grit my teeth.”
Simmons went on to reveal in a second post that “third time was the charm” and that they removed “all the cancer cells.”
“Before I left, he examined my arms, back, chest and legs. For a while I had a little Frankenstein under my right eye,” she continued. “He gave me some cream to put on, which I did religiously. Thanks to his excellent work I don’t have any scars.”
Despite the pain, she insisted that her “cancer is nothing compared to some people” she knows, including her friend’s granddaughter, who underwent a double mastectomy.
She concluded: “I know some of you reading this have had cancer or have known someone in your life who has. Please promise me that you will see your doctor and get a full checkup.”
In a later post, she clarified that the health problem occurred “many years ago.”
Earlier that week, her rep assured fans that the star was “healthy and not dying” after she sparked concern with a cryptic post about mortality.
In a separate Facebook post, Simmons reflected on her existence, saying, “I’m dying… we’re all dying” before giving her fans some fitness tips.
He wrote: ‘I have some news to tell you. Please don’t be sad. I’m… dying. Oh, I can see your faces now. The truth is that we are all dying. Every day we live we get closer to our death.
“Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to enjoy your life to the fullest every day. Get up in the morning and look up at the sky… count your blessings and enjoy.
‘Start with a healthy breakfast. Do you like oatmeal? Whole wheat toast. Eggs once or twice a week. Fresh fruit or half an English muffin?
Simmons pictured teaching a fitness class in 2013
The media figure, who was known for her outgoing personality, abruptly stopped making public appearances in 2014, with many of her fans expressing concerns about her well-being in the years that followed; seen in 2013
In March, Simmons’ rep assured fans that the reclusive fitness guru “is healthy and not dying” after the star sparked concern with a cryptic post about mortality (photo from 2013).
‘Then comes lunch. How about a nice salad? Don’t eat dinner too late. Pair your protein with a starch and some vegetables. And of course, occasionally have dessert. One day of healthy eating will lead to the next… and the next.
‘Every day that you are alive you have to move. Whether you are standing or sitting, you have to move your body every day. Start with stretching, then cardio and strength training.
‘I have plenty of workout videos on YouTube that you can use. Or maybe you have some videos at home. And before you go to sleep, do some stretching. Stretch your neck, your shoulders… and your arms… and don’t forget your legs. Do some ankle circles. Point and flex your feet and I promise you’ll sleep better at night.
‘There is one more very important thing you should do. Tell your loved ones that you love them. Hug those people and children that you really care about. A big hug really goes a long way.
If you have time, I want you to listen to a great song. It’s by Tim McGraw and it’s called Live Like You’re Dying. Live today and don’t forget to pray.
-Love, Richard.
Simmons’ spokesman Tom Estey told DailyMail.com at the time: “I can confirm with 100 per cent certainty that Richard is not dying.
“He is actually very healthy and happy. The only purpose of the post was to inspire.”
Simmons also took to X to make a rare statement: ‘I’m sorry that many of you were upset by my message today… I’m not dying.
“It was a message saying how we should make the most of every day we have. Sorry for the confusion. Love, Richard.”
The media figure, who was known for his previously outgoing personality, abruptly stopped making public appearances in 2014, and many of his fans expressed concerns about his well-being in the years that followed.
However, Estey provided a statement to the New York Post in 2022, expressing that she was “happy, healthy and living the life she had chosen to live.”
