I have been aware of Richard Simmons for decades. I think I recall first hearing about him in the early to mid 1980s when I saw a report on him in a now-forgotten TV show called PM Magazine which aired in New York at that time. Back then he was shown as running a fitness salon for women and actually according to what I saw he was like a cruel drill sergeant talking down to the women and telling them how ugly and fat they are and they have to get in shape, etc.

However, now it is said that he had "disappeared" a few years back and there are reports that he does not want to be famous anymore and just decided to abruptly hide in his home and not make any appearances, but other rumors are that he is being held prisoner in his own home by some housekeeper of his, and there are other reports (or rumors) that people who have known him for quite a while have actually noticed that he had been "deteriorating" for several years already.
There is a certain rumor that he has dementia.
I recall hearing only a few years ago that he had gotten into some kind of altercation at an airport. I don't now recall the specifics.
So maybe something had been going on with him psychologically.

I never knew that he was almost 70. I thought he was maybe in his late 50s.

What do you think might be happening to, or going on with Richard Simmons?

(I have not seen the recent documentary about him)

http://people.com/bodies/richard-simmons-longtime-fitness-studio-client-describes-troubling-behavior/

I doubt he's in his 50's. When I was a teenager, I watched him on General Hospital.

I think he is suffering from depression and just wants to be left alone.

I hope he is okay and not being held against his will but I don't think that is a likely scenario.

He says that is not the case.

He helped so many people and was such a fabulous talk show guest. I guess he is retired and just wants to be by himself.

It is understandable.

I think he is suffering from depression and just wants to be left alone.

I hope he is okay and not being held against his will but I don't think that is a likely scenario.

He says that is not the case.

He helped so many people and was such a fabulous talk show guest. I guess he is retired and just wants to be by himself.

It is understandable.

Wow...Richard Simmons has depression? It seems he's usually happy...I hope he doesn't do what Robin Williams did...

Richard Simmons Speaks Out after Hospitalization
by Jackie Strause
4/19/17


Richard Simmons says he is feeling good and hopes to see his fans again soon after being hospitalized Monday for severe indigestion.

“Hello to everyone who has shown concern for me and sent their good wishes. You will never know how much it means to me," said the fitness guru in a statement released by his rep to The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday.

"Aren’t you sick of hearing and reading about me?! LOL Well by now you know that I’m not ‘missing,’ just a little under the weather. I’m sure I will be feeling good and back home in a couple of days."





Simmons was admitted to an undisclosed California hospital "after a few days of battling severe indigestion and discomfort while eating," his manager, Michael Catalano, confirmed Tuesday. He is currently seeking treatment and expected to make a full recovery.

“This has reminded me that when you need help you can’t be afraid to reach out and ask for it. We all think we should always be able to solve our problems all by ourselves and sometimes it’s just bigger than we are,” the statement continues.

“I reached out and I hope you will, too. I’m sure there are people in your life who love and care for you and would do anything to help you with the challenges you face. Just knowing you care has already made me feel better. Hope to see you again soon!”

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/richard-simmons-speaks-hospitalization-995437

I'm not usually very conspiracy minded, but everything about this situation seems to indicate something more is going on. His comments don't really address the issue of him vanishing for months or years. It all seems like a case trying to put a happy face on something deeper.

Ultimately, he's entitled to live his life his way and he doesn't really owe the public an explanation. But if I had to bet, I'd say there were emotional issues at work. I also hope the people around him are worthy of his trust.

Ageing ain't that pretty sometimes

"Missing for months or years" ?
I have not kept track of Richard Simmons but I don't recall that years have passed since he had made an appearance somehow. One of the last TV appearances I recall was when he appeared on Martha Stewart's TV show slightly after she was convicted of lying about selling stocks before the price of the stocks plummeted. I think I have seen him promoting an exercise video that was somehow sponsored by a juice company. It might have been "V-8" or
"Ocean Spray."
I also understand that he runs an exercise studio and he had almost always been busy leading exercise classes there even if he does not make TV appearances.

However this entire issue of him missing could have something to do with him being very sick and he just might be trying to hide it and it might be only a short time before there is news of his passing.

I wish him well, but I am just saying that he is older than I ever thought he was and even though he has probably always been in much better shape than most people younger than him, news of his mysterious disappearance seems to be tell-tale in some way