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'Missing' Richard Simmons 'just wants time for himself': Brother

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Richard Simmons’ brother has assured fans the ‘missing’ fitness guru is safe and well.

Richard became a household name in the ‘70s thanks to his eccentric personality and wardrobe choices and his dedication to getting people fit. He opened his own gym, Slimmons, in Beverly Hills in 1974, but after teaching his last class there three years ago, Richard hasn’t been seen again in public.

Rumours swirled regarding the 68-year-old’s low profile, including speculation that he might be undergoing a sex change while other stories claimed his housekeeper was keeping him prisoner, with interest further fuelled by a podcast, Missing Richard Simmons.

Lenny Simmons has now set the record straight in an interview with People.

“My brother is fine,” he stated. “He’s not sick. There’s nothing medically wrong with him at all. My wife Cathy and I were out there for Christmas and spent five days with him.

“He’s not sick. There’s nothing medically wrong with him at all. These things about him transitioning to a woman are ridiculous. My wife Cathy and I were out there for Christmas and spent five days with him and I can assure you, he’s not transitioning into anything but himself.”

Lenny, 70, insists the truth is much simpler, his little brother just wanted some time away from the glare of the media’s spotlight.

“After 40-some odd years, he just decided that he wants to rest. He’s 68 years old now and he’s in good health, but he just wants time for himself,” he sighed.

Richard’s spokesman Tommy Estey echoed the sentiment: “He’s helped millions of people lose millions of pounds. And for 40 years, he took care of everyone but himself.”

Fans worried last year when the former fitness guru was hospitalized, prompting Richard to release a statement blaming the medical emergency on dehydration. 

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