Denise Austin and Other Fitness Icons Remember the Late Fitness Mogul Richard Simmons

For decades Richard Simmons helped millions of Americans get fit. From his Sweatin’ to the Oldies videos to his informercials, books, weight-loss cruises and hit TV show, The Richard Simmons Show , Simmons made fitness fun. He also helped millions of people lose more than 3 million pounds . And when he died of natural causes at his home age 76 on Saturday, June 13, many of his fellow fitness professionals shared heartfelt remembrances of him. Keep reading for the best quotes on Richard Simmons about his authenticity, his generous heart and his incredible impact.

Denise Austin: “He was such a light to everyone”

Fitness icon Denise Austin , who has more than 100 workout videos and DVDs to her name and her own magazine, Fit Over 50 , tells FIRST exclusively, “I first met Richard Simmons in 1982 while he was filming a TV show. And he hugged me right away. He was always so sweet when I would bring my daughters along with me when I was on QVC from 1990 to 2006. He saw them from babies to teenagers,” says Denise, who considered Richard a “thoughtful and sensitive friend,” recalling how they exchanged letters after both of their mothers passed away.

When we asked Denise for her favorite memory of Simmons, she says, “Jane Fonda invited us all to Atlanta years ago for the weekend to promote health and fitness and we got to spend the entire weekend together, which was so FUN. We laughed so hard.”

“I am so happy I reached out to him just weeks ago letting him know how wonderful he is,” Denise says. “It’s a good lesson in always telling someone you care about how much you appreciate them.” And it’s clear that Richard appreciated Denise’s check-in, posting about it on his Facebook page on June 22.

See what else Denise had to say about Richard Simmons in her heartfelt Instagram post.

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Shaun T: “He was 100% authentic”

BODI Super Trainer Shaun T , creator of several popular workout programs including Insanity, T25, Hip Hop Abs and Dig Deeper, shared a moving tribute on TikTok, noting, “I was really sad when I found out that Richard Simmons passed away… He was just always 100% authentic to who he was…Richard never faltered from being who he was. And so when…people would be like ‘oh my gosh, Shaun’s too much,’ I would always think about Richard Simmons and I was like, you know what: 'Be you, be in the moment and stay true to who you are.' So thank you Richard for inspiring me to be just that. You will be truly, truly missed."

Jane Fonda: “He was generous”

Actress Jane Fonda, who created her own workout video in 1982, took to Instagram to share her tribute, writing, "Richard Simmons always wanted people to feel good and be happy. He would go out of his way to make people happy…He was generous. He gave of himself, of his time, to make people happy... Rest in Peace, Dear Richard."

Elaine Lalanne: “My heart is heavy”

Elaine Lalanne , the First Lady of Fitness and wife of the late Jack LaLanne, host of America's first nationally syndicated workout program, took to Instagram upon hearing about Simmons' death, writing ,

“Richard Simmons was Jack and my dear dear friend. My heart is heavy but know he and jack are together again clowning around-and disturbing those resting in peace.”