NEED TO KNOW
Richard Simmons was a frequent guest on The Howard Stern Show, appearing over 60 times
Simmons never married and had a small circle throughout his time in the spotlight
The Mystery of Richard Simmons: A Diane Sawyer Special delves into the complex and mysterious life of the late fitness guru
Richard Simmons felt hurt by an industry friend in his final appearance on The Howard Stern Show.
In the new special, The Mystery of Richard Simmons: A Diane Sawyer Special, the journalist and those closest to the fitness enthusiast looked back at his life and the unique struggles he faced.
Sawyer notes that Simmons appeared on the radio show over 60 times throughout the years, but Stern’s questions during his final appearance seemed to cut deeply.
In a clip included in the special, Stern asks Simmons, “You are a loving man. I just wonder if you’ve ever had love in your life? And I don’t mean that in any comical sense.”
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Richard Simmons in 2013
Credit: Scott Roth/FilmMagic
“A lot of love,” Simmons quietly responds, as Stern asks again, “Do you know love?”
“I don’t know why you’re picking on me today,” Simmons says defensively, with hurt in his voice. Stern asks, “Is that picking?”
“A little bit. My wonderful housekeeper, Teresa, who has been with me 24 years…” Simmons replies, at which point Stern cuts him off and says, “Yeah, but that’s someone you pay. Is there anyone that cares about you?”
Simmons can be heard fighting tears as he says, “She does care about me. She loves me very much.”
Richard Simmons
Credit: C Flanigan/FilmMagic
Simmons’ brother, Lenny Simmons, noted that the workout enthusiast was “perhaps somewhat depressed,” adding, “[He was] sadder, sadder. He wasn’t the bouncing off the walls Richard.”
Elsewhere in the special, Simmons’ longtime manager, Michael Catalano, noted, “He felt the love.” Sawyer replies, “Until he didn’t,” to which Catalano adds, “Then it just got real quiet.”
After decades of starring in workout videos and being a mainstay in Hollywood, Simmons stepped out of public life, choosing to live much of his final decade in seclusion.
The professional fitness coach died at his Los Angeles home the day after his 76th birthday in July 2024.
The Mystery of Richard Simmons: A Diane Sawyer Special is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.
Read the original article on People
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