Richard Simmons was laid to rest Friday at a private funeral in Los Angeles, five days after his death. The iconic fitness guru was 76.
Simmons' longtime publicist, Tom Estey, shared a statement on behalf of Simmons' brother, Lenny Simmons, with Fox News Digital.
“Our beloved Dicky was laid to rest this morning surrounded by only his family and closest friends. We pray for your continued love and support during this difficult time,” the statement said.
Fitness icon Richard Simmons died on July 13. He was 76. (Harry Langdon/Getty Images)
Simmons died at his home in the Angels Saturday, July 13, one day after his birthday.
FITNESS ICON RICHARD SIMMONS DIED AT 76
“Officers responded to a death investigation,” Los Angeles Police Department “There is no crime,” officials confirmed to Fox News Digital.
His official cause of death has been deferred, meaning further investigation and testing is needed before a conclusive explanation for his death can be given.
Richard Simmons was buried in a private funeral in Los Angeles on July 19, 2024. (Fake Images)
The cause of death was listed as “other significant conditions” and Simmons' case remained “open.” His place of death was listed as “residence.”
A Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) spokesperson told Fox News Digital that emergency crews were dispatched to respond to a 76-year-old man in cardiac arrest at Simmons' home in Los Angeles without identifying Simmons as the patient. The patient was pronounced dead at the home of natural causes, the LAFD said.
“Our beloved Dicky was laid to rest this morning surrounded only by his family and closest friends. We pray for your continued love and support during this difficult time.”
The former fitness trainer, who he stepped away from the spotlight Ten years ago, he told People magazine in a recent interview that he was “grateful” to be “alive another day” after his skin cancer diagnosis.
The “Sweatin' to the Oldies” host had planned to blow out a candle to mark the occasion, with the caveat that the candle would “probably be in a zucchini. You know, I'm a vegetarian.”
“I'm grateful to be here, to be alive another day,” he said. “I'm going to spend my birthday doing what I do every day, which is helping people.”
Simmons was known for his eccentric personality and became a staple of the fitness industry in the 1980s. (Harry Langdon/Getty Images)
In March, Simmons revealed to her followers that she had been Diagnosed with skin cancer. She took to Facebook to detail the moment she learned of her diagnosis and the procedure she underwent to try to remove the cancer cells.
Simmons announced her diagnosis a day after worrying fans with a social media post in which she said she was “dying.”
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“I have some news to tell you. Please don't be sad. I'm dying,” she wrote at the time. “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 at the sky… count your blessings and enjoy.”
Coroners classified Simmons' cause of death as “deferred,” with “other significant conditions” as a factor. (Rodrigo Vaz/Getty Images)
At the time, her representative confirmed to Fox News Digital that Simmons was not dying and that the post was intended to be inspirational.
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Simmons rose to fame in the late 1970s with “The Richard Simmons Show,” appearances on game shows and late-night television shows, and his “Sweatin' to the Oldies” workout videos, which were first released in 1988.
Simmons celebrated his 76th birthday the day before he died. (Bobby Bank/Wire Image)
“The Richard Simmons Show” got two Daytime Emmy Awards Best Director and Best Talk Show. Simmons was much loved for his fun, upbeat personality and for connecting with everyday people who wanted to get fit through his workout videos.
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Fox News Digital's Tracy Wright contributed to this report.
