Richard Simmons not dying despite social media post: 'Sorry for this confusion'

"Please don’t be sad. I am ….dying. Oh I can see your faces now," the fitness instructor wrote in his original post.

After Richard Simmons implied that he's not long for this world in a social media post, the fitness icon and his spokesperson clarified that he is doing fine.

Simmons posted a cryptic message on Facebook and X on Monday suggesting he was anticipating his own death. “I have some news to tell you,” he wrote. “Please don’t be sad. I am ….dying.  Oh I can see your faces now.”

However, he followed that statement with a broader message about death, so it was never entirely clear if Simmons has a specific reason to think he’s dying soon. “The truth is we all are dying,” he said. “Every day we live we are getting closer to our death.”

Simmons later followed up with some clarification: "Sorry many of you have gotten upset about my message today," he wrote. "Even the press has gotten in touch with me. I am not dying. It was a message about saying how we should embrace every day that we have. Sorry for this confusion."

Simmons' spokesperson also confirmed that the fitness instructor is A-OK. "I can confirm with 100 percent certainty that Richard is not dying," Tom Estey told EW. "He’s, in fact, very healthy and happy.  The sole purpose of the post was meant to be inspirational."

In his original statement, Simmons went on to advise his followers to embrace the moment. “I want you to enjoy your life to the fullest every single day,” he wrote. “Get up in the morning and look at the sky… count your blessings and enjoy.”

The fitness legend also made sure to include dietary tips in his post. “Start with a healthy breakfast,” he suggested. “Do you like oatmeal…. Whole wheat toast ..eggs once or twice a week” or “Fresh fruit or half of an English muffin?” He also recommended a “nice salad” for lunch and eating dinner early.

The cornerstone of Simmons’ message revolved around physical activity. “Every day that you are alive you have got to move,” he wrote. “Whether it is standing or sitting you have got [to] move your body every day.  Start with stretching then cardio and strength. I have a lot of workout videos on YouTube that you can use.”

Simmons also encouraged readers to keep their loved ones close. “There is something else very important that you must do,” he said. “Tell the ones that you love that you love them. Hug those people and children who you really care for. A big hug really goes a long way.”

Simmons concluded his remarks with a song recommendation. “If you have time I want you to listen to a terrific song,” he wrote. “It is by Tim McGraw it is called Live Like You Were Dying.  Live today and don’t forget to pray. Love, Richard.”

After years of fan comparisons, Pauly Shore recently portrayed the fitness icon in a short film, The Court Jester, which debuted at Sundance, and is also set to play him in the feature-length Sweatin' to the Oldies biopic. Simmons previously said he wasn’t involved with the project. “You may have heard they may be doing a movie about me with Pauly Shore. I have never given my permission for this movie. So don’t believe everything you read,” he wrote on Facebook in January. "I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist. I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support."

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