Richard Simmons, 75, says he is ‘dying’ in bizarre, rare post as reclusive fitness guru encourages fans to ‘live life to the fullest’: ‘Please don’t be sad’

Richard Simmons said he was “dying” in a rare social media post on Monday – as the reclusive fitness guru reflected on his blessings.

Taking to Facebook, the 75-year-old star reflected on his existence as he said ‘we’re all going to die’ before giving his fans some fitness tips in the cryptic post.

He wrote: ‘I have something new to tell you. Please do not be sad. I’m dying. Oh, I can see your faces now. The truth is that we all die. Every day we live we get closer to our death.

‘Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to live your life to the fullest every day. Get up in the morning and look at the sky… count your blessings and enjoy it.

‘Start with a healthy breakfast. Do you like oatmeal…. Whole wheat toast…eggs once or twice a week Fresh fruit or half an English muffin?

Then there is lunch. How about a tasty salad? Don’t eat your dinner too late. Combine your protein with a starch and a few vegetables. And of course, every now and then, have dessert. Eating one healthy day will lead to the next… and the next.

On Facebook, the 75-year-old star wrote: ‘I have some news to share. Please do not be sad. I’m dying. Oh, I can see your faces now. The truth is that we all die. Every day we live we get closer to our death’

‘Every day you live, you have to move. Whether you’re standing or sitting, you need to move your body every day. Start with stretching and then cardio and strength.

“I have a lot of workout videos on YouTube that you can use. Or maybe you have some videos at home. And before you go to bed, do a little stretching. Stretch your neck. Your shoulders… and your arms… and don’t forget your legs. Make some circles with your ankles. Straighten and flex your feet and I promise you will have a better night’s sleep.

‘There’s one more very important thing you need to do. Tell those you love that you love them. Hug those people and children you really care about. A big hug really goes a long way.

“If you have time, I want you to listen to a great song. It’s by Tim McGraw and it’s called Live Like You Were Dying. Live today and don’t forget to pray.

“Love, Richard.”

Simmons’ spokesperson told DailyMail.com: ‘I can confirm with 100 percent certainty that Richard is not dying.

‘He’s actually very healthy and happy. The sole purpose of the post was to be inspirational’

The star did not reveal any details about his health in the post. DailyMail.com has contacted Simmons’ representatives for comment.

The media figure, who was known for his previously outgoing personality, abruptly stopped his public appearances in 2014, and many of his fans expressed concerns about his well-being in the following years.

However, the fitness instructor’s former representative, Tom Estey, provided a statement provided a statement to New York Post in 2022, saying he was “happy, healthy and living the life he chose to live.”

Development of a biopic about Simmons’ life began back in April of last year, when Pauly Shore expressed his interest in playing the fitness instructor.

At the time, the 55-year-old actor claimed he had made contact with the reclusive media figure and was trying to secure his blessing for the project.

The performer next played the fitness instructor in a short film titled The Court Jester, which premiered last week at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

It was then revealed that Shore would play Simmons in a full-length biopic earlier this month.

The reclusive media figure quickly disavowed the project, sharing a post on his Facebook account earlier this month to let his fans know via Variety that he ‘never gave my permission for this film’.

The 75-year-old fitness instructor admitted that while he was aware of the ridicule he often received from opponents, he had learned to love the person he had become over the years.

Simmons has shared several uplifting messages on his Facebook account in recent days, and he asked his fans to “forgive someone who hurt you” in a post shared last Friday.

The media figure, who was known for his previously outgoing personality, abruptly stopped his public appearances in 2014, and many of his fans expressed concerns about his well-being in the following years; seen in 2013

The performer next played the fitness instructor in a short film titled The Court Jester, which premiered last week at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.

The reclusive media figure quickly disavowed the project, sharing a post on his Facebook account earlier this month letting fans know via Variety that he “never gave my consent to this film.”

Warner Bros. subsidiary The Wolper Organization, which is producing the project, said in a statement that they “would like [Simmons] involved’ in the upcoming film.

The production company added: “We respect his desire for privacy and intend to produce a film that honors him, celebrates him and tells a dramatic story.”

Shore further emphasized that the project would not mock Simmons’ performance during an interview with Varietyand he stated that the feature film’s creative team “doesn’t want to bother him.”

The artist added that the project’s producers “want to pay tribute to him, kiss his feet and say he has done wonderful things.”