Popular Fitness Guru Richard Simmons Dies At 76

Fitness guru Richard Simmons, who gained worldwide fame through his uplifting exercise videos, has passed away at the age of 76.

The Los Angeles Police department responded to his home after a 911 call from his housekeeper and found Simmons dead, ABC News reported after speaking with police sources. It is believed that he died of natural causes and no foul play is expected, they added.

Simmons had recently concerned fans with a Facebook post in which he claimed that he was dying. “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,” the late fitness guru wrote in a Facebook post.

He later clarified that he was not actually dying, adding that he wanted to encourage to appreciate the time they have.

The exercise instructor rose to prominence in the 1970’s and 1980’s after opening several gyms across the country. His brand focused on eccentric and high-intensity energy fitness tapes that proved popular with the public.

He was the author of nine books, including the New York Times Best Seller, “Never Say Diet.”

Simmons had been out of the public eye in recent years, though there were reports of a biopic focusing on the fitness guru in the works earlier this year.

Simmons criticized the reports, writing, “Don’t believe everything you read. I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist. I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful.”

This is a developing story.