In his final interview with People, Richard Simmons described grief as a toll on the heart and reflected on how people say goodbye. The conversation, conducted two days before he was found dead, also touched on his retirement, his bond with fans and the people he felt he had helped.
What Richard Simmons said about loss
As quoted by Rolling Stone Canada, Simmons was asked, “How do you deal with loss?” He answered: “How do you deal with loss? It takes a toll on your heart,” then continued:
“Some shed many tears, others stare at the sky. It’s so hard to say goodbye. Here is what I know when it’s time for us to go, beautiful angels will greet us with a smile and a hello.”
The passage presents loss as painful while offering a hopeful image of reunion after death. It was part of audio material Simmons was preparing weekly for songwriter Patrick Leonard for a planned Broadway show about his life, according to Rolling Stone Canada.
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When the interview took place
ABC News reports that Simmons spoke with People on July 11, 2024, the day before his 76th birthday. He was found dead at his home on July 13, two days after the interview. ABC News and The Independent report other details from the same conversation. The published accounts provide excerpts, not a complete transcript.
His connection with fans
Simmons said he missed the people who followed his work and remained in contact with them by phone and email. Rolling Stone Canada quotes him: “I know people miss me. And you know what? I miss them, too.” ABC News and The Independent also report that he described answering messages from fans; ABC News quotes his estimate that he might respond to more than 100 emails that day.
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Retirement and the legacy he valued
Asked about stepping away from public life, Simmons told People: “When I decided to retire, it was because my body told me I needed to retire,” according to ABC News. The Independent also reports that he attributed his retirement to his physical limits.
When reflecting on his work, Simmons emphasized its effect on others rather than a tally of accomplishments. ABC News quotes him: “My thing was, ‘Oh, look how many people I helped.’” That perspective connects the interview’s subjects: the loss passage considers saying goodbye, while his comments about fans and his legacy recall the relationships and lives he believed his work had touched.
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