How did Richard Simmons die? His cause of death revealed

After Richard Simmons died in July 2024 at the age of 76, the cause of death was announced by his family.

The legendary fitness icon of the 1970s and '80s died of “complications from recent falls” and heart disease, family spokesman Tom Estey said in a statement to TODAY.com. He said the Los Angeles Coroner's Office called Richard Simmons' brother, Lenny Simmons, on Aug. 21 with the autopsy results.

“The coroner advised Lenny that Richard's death was an accident due to complications from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing cause,” the statement said. “The toxicology report was negative, aside from the medications prescribed for Richard. The family would like to thank everyone for their tremendous love and support during this time of great loss.”

In an August 22 press release, the Los Angeles Coroner's Office confirmed the family's statement, noting that Simmons died from “the effects of blunt traumatic injuries” and that “atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was a contributing factor.” The coroner's full report will not be available until August 30, the press release said.

Simmons gave his last interview two days before his death. Before that, however, he had not been seen in public for about a decade.

Here you can learn everything about Simmons' death and his health before his passing.

How did Richard Simmons die?

According to a family spokesman, Richard Simmons' cause of death was accidental, with “complications from recent falls and heart disease being contributing factors.”

The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office's statement on August 22 said Simmons “fell on July 11 and spent the following day in bed.”

According to the coroner, he was found unconscious on the floor of his bedroom on the morning of July 13 and the emergency services were called.

“Death was pronounced at 9:45 a.m.,” the statement said.

Two law enforcement sources confirmed to NBC News last month that Simmons was found unconscious in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood. Los Angeles Fire Department and Police Department officials responded to a 911 call at 10 a.m. PT and pronounced Simmons dead at the scene, officials said.

At the time, Lenny Simmons issued a statement to TODAY.com saying the family was “in shock” following his brother's death, but urged the public “not to be sad.”

“I want them to remember him because he brought real joy and love to people,” he said. “He really cared about people. Over the course of his career, he called, wrote and emailed thousands of people to offer his help.”

“So don't be sad. Celebrate his life,” Lenny Simmons added.

Did Richard Simmons die of cancer?

No, Richard Simmons did not die of cancer, according to a statement from his family.

But just four months before his death, he was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer.

He wrote on Facebook that he had a “weird looking bump” under his right eye, which he treated with Neosporin until he went to the dermatologist.

“I sat in his chair and he looked at it through a magnifying mirror. He told me he had to scrape it off and put it under the microscope. Now I'm getting a little nervous. He comes back about 20 minutes later and says the C-word. You have cancer,” he wrote in the post.

The fitness guru further explained that doctors tried burning the skin twice to remove the cancer, but some malignant cells remained. The Skin Cancer Foundation describes that heat can be used in curettage and electrodesiccation, both common treatments for basal cell carcinoma.

In another Facebook post, Richard Simmons said doctors performed the procedure a third time and successfully removed the cancer cells.

“Before I left, he examined my arms, back, chest and legs. I had a little Frankenstein under my right eye for a while. He gave me a cream to put on it, which I did diligently. Thanks to his good work, I have no scar,” he wrote.

Richard Simmons wrote that he was “dying”

A day before Richard Simmons announced his skin cancer diagnosis, he caused concern in another Facebook post by writing that he was “dying.”

“I have news to tell you. Please don't be sad. I… am dying,” he began his post.

“Oh, I can see your faces now. The truth is we all die,” he continued. “Every day we live, we come closer to our death. Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to live your life to the fullest every single day. Get up in the morning and look up at the sky… count your blessings and enjoy it.”

Richard Simmons further emphasized the importance of a healthy diet, exercise and healthy relationships with loved ones.

“There is one more very important thing you need to do. Tell the people you love that you love them. Hug the people and children you really care about. A big hug can really go a long way,” he wrote. “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.”

In response to the post, Richard Simmons clarified: X that he was not dying, but did not provide any further information about his state of health at that time.

“I'm sorry that many of you were upset about my message today. Even the press reached out to me. I'm not dying,” Simmons wrote. “It was a message about enjoying every day we have. Sorry for the confusion. Love, Richard.”

His spokesman told TODAY.com at the time that Richard Simmons was “happy and healthy.”