Word has it you’ve heard the news – Richard Simmons, the man who made exercising fun with short shorts and tank tops, breathed his last breath on a quiet Saturday morning. The legend turned 76 just a day before – that’s right, one last hurrah before bidding farewell.

His publicist, Tom Estey, penned a heartfelt email to The Associated Press announcing the loss. “Today, the world lost an Angel,” Estey proclaimed. Well, you don’t say! An angel indeed, decked out in spandex and glitter.

Simmons’ grand departure didn’t go unnoticed by the Los Angeles Police Department, that’s for sure. Responding to a 911 call at Simmons’ home, they found him at 9:57 a.m., pronounced gone due to – drumroll, please – apparent natural causes. LAFD’s Captain Erik Scott chipped in, acknowledging that no hospital visit was needed. His final curtain call was one that no standing ovation could revive.

Richard’s Reflective Thoughts

Just two days before, Simmons, in a rare moment of introspection, mused about his legacy. “I never thought of myself as a celebrity. People don’t know this – I’m really a shy person and a little bit of an introvert,” he confessed to People. Surprise, surprise!

However, when the spotlight hit, he transformed.