The 75-year-old fitness guru shares the audio clip just a few months after he revealed that he was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer.
- May 7, 2024
AceShowbiz - Richard Simmons has treated his online devotees to a special audio message, first time in several years. In an audio clip that featured a cartoon version of him holding a megaphone, the fitness guru greeted his fans and sent love to them.
"Hi everybody, it's Richard!" the 75-year-old said in the Monday, May 6 post uploaded on YouTube. "Thank you so much for reading my messages. Roses are red, violets are blue. Do you know how much I love you? Have a beautiful day. Bye for now."
In the caption, Richard wrote, "A little message to make you smile!"
Earlier this year, Richard alarmed fans with a vague social media post stating that he was "dying." He penned at the time, "I have some news to tell you. Please don't be sad. I am ….dying. Oh I can see your faces now. The truth is we all are dying. Every day we live we are getting closer to our death."
"Why am I telling you this? Because I want you to enjoy your life to the fullest every single day," she further elaborated. "Get up in the morning and look at the sky… count your blessings and enjoy."
Richard later clarified that the post was intended as a reminder to appreciate life fully. "Sorry many of you have gotten upset about my message today," he stated. "I am not dying. It was a message about saying how we should embrace every day that we have."
Days later, Richard revealed that he was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer. The diagnosis came after he noticed a suspicious bump under his right eye.
In a lengthy Facebook post, Richard described his experience with the diagnosis and subsequent treatment. His dermatologist performed a biopsy and confirmed the cancer. Richard then visited dermatologic surgeon Dr. Ralph A. Massey, who explained the need to "burn" the cancer cells from his skin.
The treatment involved 30 minutes of burning, which caused Richard pain. He returned to the doctor's office later that day only to learn that the cancer had not been fully removed. A second treatment was performed, which Richard said was more intense.
