In his memoir, “Still Hungry After All These Years,” Richard Simmons opened up about the tragic death of his father, Leonard Simmons, in 1982. As recounted by Richard, Leonard had planned surgery to remove a kidney stone at 85 years old, which had the fitness instructor worried. His father ended up with major complications from the surgery and Richard’s brother urged him to visit Leonard at the hospital in New Orleans. His father was ultimately discharged and asked Richard to fly to Rome and pray with the pope, but sadly, Leonard died a few months later.
Richard also lost his mother, Shirley Simmons, 17 years later after she contracted pneumonia at the age of 87. Prior to her death, Richard visited her frequently in New Orleans. “Sometimes I’d order food from the Rib Room at the Royal Orleans Hotel or from Arnaud’s, and we’d all have a fabulous dinner together,” he wrote in his book (via The Historic New Orleans Collection). In 2013, he shared a picture of himself holding up feathered fans on Facebook. “In honor of my mom Shirley, who was a fan dancer in the ’30s! Miss you, Shirley XO,” he wrote.
