Richard Simmons' message shared by staff after fitness guru's passing

Richard Simmons staff shares posthumous message from the late fitness guru.

On Saturday, Simmons’ team posted a social media message on Facebook and X that they claim the “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” star wrote before his death. The message, which Simmons had intended to share over the weekend, included a photo of himself wearing a spacesuit.

“Let me take you to the moon so we can gaze at the stars,” the message read. “With love, Richard.”

Simmons’ staff explained that the former “Richard Simmons Show” host would choose a photo and caption during the week that would be posted over the weekend, meaning he had already written this post before he died on Saturday, July 13. It was supposed to be posted on July 14.

“Richard worked very hard on his posts for you,” his team said. “He had many ideas and worked backwards… going back over each one and making changes until he got it exactly what he wanted before publishing.”

They added: “So we have the message that Richard planned to share with you last Sunday. We thought you might like to see it.”

Simmons, known for his at-home workout videos and high-energy TV appearances, died just one day after celebrating his 76th birthday. Although he had stepped back from public life in recent years, Simmons continued to connect with his fans on social media.

The best quotes by Richard Simmons on life, love and weight loss

In March, he sparked concern among his followers with a social media post that began, “I have some news to share with you. Please don’t be sad. I’m dying.” But he went on to say that “the truth is we are all dying,” as “every day we live brings us closer to our death.” At the time, Simmons’ rep confirmed to USA TODAY that he was not dying and was “actually very healthy and happy.”

“I want you to live your life to the fullest every day,” Simmons wrote in his March message. “Get up in the morning and look up at the sky… count your blessings and enjoy.”

That same month, Simmons revealed on social media that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer after noticing a “strange lump” under his eye. But he said he was treated by a doctor, who “removed all the cancer cells.”

Fitness Pioneer Richard Simmons dies one day after his 76th birthday

Just two days before his death, Simmons gave a final interview to People magazine.

“When I decided to retire, it was because my body told me to,” he said in the interview. “I spent time thinking about my life. All the books I’ve written, the videos. I never thought, ‘Oh, look what I’ve done.’ My thing was, ‘Oh, look how many people I’ve helped.’”

In a July 14 Facebook post, Simmons’ brother Lenny said he didn’t want fans to “be sad” about his death.

“I want them to remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought into people’s lives,” Lenny Simmons wrote. “He truly cared about people. He called, wrote and emailed thousands of people throughout his career offering help. So don’t be sad. Let’s celebrate his life!”

Contribution: Edward Segarra, Amanda Lee Myers and Mike Snider