Richard Simmons Thanks Fans For Well Wishes In Rare Public Comment After Years Out Of The Spotlight

etcanada.com:

Richard Simmons is thanking everyone for their support. This week, the iconic fitness guru shared a post on his Facebook page with a rare public comment after years of privacy. READ MORE: Richard Simmons’ Disappearance From Public Life Gets Examined In New Documentary “Thank you, everyone, for your kindness and love!” he wrote, adding, “Love, Richard.” The post came just days after the premiere of TMZ‘s new documentary, “What Really Happened to Richard Simmons”, which explores his life and career, as well as his disappearance from the spotlight.

A source also told TMZ that Simmons has seen the documentary and was moved by fans sending their well wishes. Simmons retreated from public life in 2014, with rumours emerging in the years following that he was being held hostage by his housekeeper.

He did an audio interview with “Today” in 2016 denying the rumours, but speculation continued, inspiring the popular podcast “Missing Richard Simmons” in 2017. READ MORE: Richard Simmons Is ‘Very Excited’ His Classic ‘Sweatin’ To The Oldies’ Will Be Available On New Streaming Channel That spring, after being hospitalized for severe indigestion, Simmons made his first public comment in over a year, sharing on Facebook, “I’m not ‘missing’, just a little under the weather.” He also sued the National Enquirer and other tabloids in 2017 for libel over claims that he was undergoing gender reassignment.

A year later Simmons launched a lawsuit against a price investigator, alleging that they had placed a tracking device on his vehicle.