About
Richard Simmons, born Milton Teagle Simmons in New Orleans, became an American fitness icon. In 1974, he opened an exercise studio in Beverly Hills, Slimmons, welcoming all body types and fitness levels. He produced over 65 fitness videos, most notably the Sweatin' to the Oldies series (1988), which sold over 20 million copies worldwide. His television show, The Richard Simmons Show (1980-1984), won four Daytime Emmy Awards. He wrote 12 books, including the New York Times bestseller Richard Simmons' Never-Say-Diet Book (1980). He lobbied for physical education reform, supporting the FIT Kids Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act. He retreated from public life in the mid-2010s and died in 2024.
* 1948-07-12 — † 2024-07-13
Major works
- Sweatin' to the Oldies (1988)fitness video
- The Richard Simmons Show (1980)television show
- Richard Simmons' Never-Say-Diet Book (1980)book
- Still Hungry After All These Years (1999)autobiography
Key milestones
- 1974Opened his exercise studio in Beverly Hills, originally called The Anatomy Asylum and later renamed Slimmons.
- 1980His book 'Richard Simmons' Never-Say-Diet Book' became a New York Times bestseller.
- 2008Lobbied for the FIT Kids Act, a bill aimed at improving physical education in the United States.
Themes
Fitness and exerciseSelf-acceptancePublic healthPhysical educationMotivation
Sources: britannica.com · npr.org