Hours before his untimely death, Richard Simmons left a chilling eight-word message on social media that has fans reeling.
Yesterday (July 13), the world was shocked to learn that beloved fitness legend Richard Simmons passed away, just one day after his 76th birthday as confirmed by his representative.
According to ABC, the Los Angeles Police Department was called to Simmons’ residence by his housekeeper around 10am on Saturday (July 13), where they pronounced him deceased at the scene.
“The world has truly lost an angel,” said Tom Estey, Simmons’ publicist, in a statement to PEOPLE.
It appears Simmons died of natural causes, with no suspicion of foul play, despite his unsettling announcement earlier in the year claiming he was ‘dying’.
In a haunting Facebook post in March, Simmons cryptically stated: “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 later clarified he wasn’t actually nearing death, but encouraged his fans to cherish every day.
Before passing away in California, Simmons expressed his gratitude on social media for the birthday wishes he received, posting: “Thank you…I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life! I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday. Love, Richard.”
His final post on his X account, believed to be about five hours before his death, was: “Hello gorgeous! Please don’t rain on my parade.”
Following this post, fans have flooded social media with tributes and speculations.
One user on X remarked: “Yikes! 5 hrs. ago posting messages & gone just like that. You seriously never know.”
Another wrote: “Umm, this is haunting if this post was shortly before you passed. Rest in peace.”
“Maybe this post was his way of saying goodbye,” suggested a third.
“See you in Heaven, Richard,” another fan wrote. “I’ll be looking for you and we are sooo dancing to the oldies together – thank you for all you did and all you showed us.”
“Always on your terms and forever an icon,” praised yet another admirer.
Simmons also disclosed in March 2024 that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer, just a day after his cryptic ‘dying’ post.
Upon noticing a blemish under his eye, Simmons sought medical advice, which led to the dire diagnosis. “He comes back about 20 minutes later and says the ‘C’ word. You have cancer,” he shared.
“I asked him what kind of cancer and he said. Basal Cell Carcinoma. I told him to stop calling me dirty names. He laughed,” Simmons recounted.
Basal Cell Carcinoma typically manifests as a transparent bump on the head and neck, explains the Mayo Clinic.
Simmons revealed he had undergone two procedures with Dr. Ralph A. Massey to remove the cancerous cells.
“I know some of you reading this have had cancer or have known someone in your life who has had cancer,” he concluded. “Promise me you will see your doctor and get a complete check up.”