Richard Simmons health update: How is the fitness personality doing?
RICHARD Simmons made a name for himself as a high-energy fitness coach.
Now, fans want to know about his health after the star shared he was diagnosed with skin cancer.
Who is Richard Simmons?
Milton Teagle "Richard" Simmons was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 12, 1948.
The 75-year-old fitness coach is well-known for his weight loss programs and energetic personality, which he largely showcased in his Sweatin' to the Oldies aerobics videos that were first released in 1988.
His Biography on his website states, "Richard Simmons is one of the world's most revered and iconic fitness personalities."
"As an instructor and motivator for over 40 years, Richard's impact on the health and well-being of millions of people is truly immeasurable.
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"Using his unique wit, passion and enthusiasm, Richard's ability to reach out to the masses and to encourage them to take control of their fitness destiny has been a lifelong crusade.
"By delivering a serious message with his trademark humor, he has helped millions of overweight men and women lose more than 3,000,000 pounds by adopting sensible, balanced eating programs and exercise regimes that are energetic, fun and motivating."
How is Richard Simmons doing?
Simmons is dealing with health struggles.
He concerned fans when he shared that he was "dying" in a Facebook post on Monday, March 18, 2024.
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"I have some news to tell you. Please don’t be sad. I am ….dying. Oh I can see your faces now. The truth is we all are dying. Every day we live we are getting closer to our death," he wrote.
"Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to enjoy your life to the fullest every single day. Get up in the morning and look at the sky… count your blessings and enjoy," he continued, in part.
Later that day, the exercise guru clarified his message in a follow-up post.
"Sorry many of you have gotten upset about my message today. Even the press has gotten in touch with me. I am not dying," Simmons wrote.
"It was a message about saying how we should embrace every day that we have. Sorry for this confusion," he continued.
In 2014, Simmons "abruptly retired from public life," per Forbes.
His Los Angeles-based gym, Slimmons, "suddenly" shut its doors in 2016, the outlet reported.
Was Richard Simmons diagnosed with cancer?
On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, Simmons announced that he was diagnosed with skin cancer via a Facebook post.
"Mirror mirror on the wall what's that blemish which is so small? There was this strange looking bump under my right eye. I had a tube of neosporin which I would put on I[n] the morning and the evening….it was still there. It was time to call my dermatologist," he wrote.
"I sat in his chair and he looked at it through a magnifying mirror. He told me he would have to scrape it and put it under the microscope. Now I am getting a little bit nervous.
"He comes back about 20 minutes later and says the C word. You have cancer. I asked him what kind of cancer and he said. Bas[a]l Cell Carcinoma. I told him to stop calling me dirty names. He laughed," Simmons continued.
"You have to go to a cancer doctor right away. But now that you are here I suggest you put some Botox in your forehead lines and your smile lines and let's pump up those cheeks of yours…..I patted him on his hand and said, 'Not today doctor.'
"When I got home I called Dr Ralph A. Massey who was from England I waited in his waiting room and said hello to all of these people who had skin cancer as well. I was shocked to see all of the skin cancers that they had. Some had cancer on top of their heads…their face …and their neck.
"The nurse said, 'Dr would like to see you now Richard.' I slowly walked in this pristine room and Dr Massey came in to greet me…'I have to apologize I just finished eating lox, bagels, and onions.' He smelled like a deli. But I didn’t care I just needed his help.
"He explained that he has to burn my skin to remove the cancer cells. There was no numbing it just had to be done with a small instrument. As he started burning my skin a tear dropped down my cheek.
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"You can’t cry during this and he wiped my tear. The burning really hurt my skin. It lasted about 30 minutes. 'Come back in an hour and a half and see if I got it all out.'
"After driving around the city, I went back to some sad news. I didn’t get it all out. He burned my face again. This time was worse than before...It was deeper. I did not cry this time but I did grit my teeth. 'Come back in another hour and a half.' ….to be continued…"