Richard Simmons ' family is expressing their gratitude to his fans and asking for privacy as they continue to grieve his loss.
In a statement provided to ET on Tuesday by Simmons' longtime publicist, Tom Estey, the family says they are "overwhelmed" by the support shared with them.The legendary fitness guru was found dead at his home on Saturday. He was 76.
"The Simmons family is overwhelmed and beyond grateful for the outpouring of love shown to our beloved Dicky. He is up above smiling down at all of you," the statement reads.
It continues, "There will no further comment from the family at this time other than to kindly ask the media to respect Richard’s memory and grant us the time to grieve as we so desperately need to do."
The statement comes just days after Simmons celebrated his 76th birthday on Friday. Mere hours later, the influential figure in the exercise world died of "apparent natural causes," according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
"On July 13, 2024, at 9:55 AM, the LAFD responded to a Suspected Death Incident at the 1300 block of N Belfast Drive," LAFD Captain Erik Scott told ET in a statement on Monday. "Upon arrival, one rescue ambulance discovered a 76-year-old male who was pronounced deceased on-scene by firefighter/paramedics due to apparent natural causes. As a result, no hospital transport was necessary."
The last time ET spoke with Simmons was via a phone interview back in 2016 , where he opened up about his health struggles and expressed his gratefulness for the fans who have always shown their concern for his wellbeing.
"I love all the people who worry about me," he said. "It was time for me to take some time to be by myself."
"This is how I want to live my life right now," Simmons continued. "And to all the people that are worried about me, please don't be. If I was in any trouble, if I was hurting in any way, I would reach out. It is time right now for Richard Simmons to take care of Richard Simmons."
Since the news broke of his death on Saturday morning, friends and family have taken to social media to memorialize Simmons and honor the personality for his prolific work.
Simmons' brother, Lenny Simmons, spoke with ET on Monday and shared his hope that his brother will be remembered fondly.
"What you see interviews, what you saw on his exercise videos, that's the way he was. He didn't turn anything off," Lenny said of his brother. "This is the way he talked to people. He loved hugging people. I mean he did things for people that I I don't think anybody else would do... He would actually go and visit people who were extremely obese and tried to help them."
Similarly, Jane Fonda -- who was a dear friend and collaborator of Simmons' -- shared her own post on social media, acknowledging the tragic loss and thanking him for his years of friendship and the mark he left on the world.
Fonda wrote, "I hope he felt the love so many were sending him these last years. I hope it made him happy. I read he died peacefully in his sleep in his very white home. Rest in Peace, Dear Richard."
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