Richard Simmons' cause of death revealed by brother Lenny Simmons

Fitness icon Richard Simmons died on July 13 at the age of 76 from the effects of recent falls. According to his brother Lenny Simmons, heart disease was one of the causes.

The cause of death was confirmed by the Los Angeles Medical Examiner's Office in a phone call with Lenny on August 21, according to a statement sent to People by Simmons family spokesman Tom Estey.

“This morning, Richard Simmons' brother Lenny received a call from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. The Medical Examiner informed Lenny that Richard's death was an accident due to complications from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing cause. The toxicology report was negative, other than the medications that Richard had been prescribed. The family would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support during this time of great loss,” Estey said.

Simmons was found unconscious in his Hollywood Hills home by his longtime housekeeper, just one day after celebrating his 76th birthday. Although foul play was not initially suspected, the cause of death was postponed pending further investigation, which has now confirmed the circumstances.

Known for his flamboyant personality and relentless positivity, Simmons built a diverse fitness empire that includes 12 books, 10 CDs and 22 DVDs.

One of his best-known works was his platinum album from 1982 To reachwhich spent 40 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart. The album included motivational songs such as “What Are You Waiting For?”, “You Can Do It” and “Wake Up”.

To reach was part of the fitness craze of the early 80s and debuted on the Billboard 200 in the week ending June 5, 1982, just one week after Jane Fonda's Training recording Simmons' colorful and energetic approach to fitness, combined with the enthusiasm for fitness at the time, made him a popular figure in pop culture.

Simmons' television career further cemented his place in the spotlight. He hosted The Richard Simmons Show from 1980 to 1984, with a focus on personal health, fitness and healthy cooking.

He also made frequent guest appearances on popular shows such as Late Night with David Letterman And General Hospital.

The pop culture icon always seemed to be in on the jokes, whether during his guest appearances or in interviews, and said in a famous 2012 interview Men's health Interview: “When the king is depressed, he doesn't call for his wife or the cook. He turns to the little man with the pointed hat and says to the court jester: 'Make me laugh.' And that court jester is me.”

Simmons' fitness journey began after he moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s, where he opened a gym called Anatomy Asylumlater renamed Slimming products. His commitment to health helped him lose over 100 pounds, a feat he proudly maintained for over four decades.

His influence went beyond fitness as he produced more than 50 training videos, including the iconic Sweating to the oldies Series that sold over 22 million copies.

In recent years, Simmons has retreated from the public eye, sparking rumors and concern among his fans.

Despite his absence, he remained active on social media and shared positive messages. Earlier this year, he was featured by actor Pauly Shore in a short film called The Court Jesterwhich premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. However, Simmons clarified that he did not authorize the film, writing in a post, “I never gave my permission for this film, so don't believe everything you read.”

Lenny Simmons reflected on his brother’s legacy and said: People“I don't want people to be sad because of my brother. I want them to remember him because he brought real joy and love into people's lives.”