Simmons’ prewritten post was shared on his social media by his staff on July 20
Richard Simmons’ final social media post is being shared in his memory.
The late fitness icon’s last message and a photo that he had prepared before his death on July 13 was revealed by his staff on social media on Saturday, July 20, in a touching tribute.
Simmons’ staff wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Richard worked very hard on his posts for you. He had many ideas and would work ahead … going back to each one making changes until he had it just like he wanted before posting.”
“… On the weekends, he would just share a photo with a caption. He always chose his photos and wrote his captions for the upcoming weekend by Friday,” his staff explained. “So we have the post Richard planned to share with you last Sunday. We thought you’d want to see it.”
Simmon’s final post and photo planned for Sunday, July 14, was then shared.
The late star was seen in the photo smiling as he sported gray hair and wore a bright orange Nasa space suit while standing in front of a colorful wall.
“Let me fly you to the moon so we can gaze among the stars. Love, Richard,” Simmons had written for the caption.
The final post from Simmons comes the day after he was laid to rest on Friday, July 19, in Los Angeles. The private funeral came nearly a week after the fitness guru was found dead at the age of 76 at his home the day after his birthday.
Simmons’ brother Lenny told PEOPLE — in a statement provided by Simmons’ longtime publicist, Tom Estey — after the burial: “Our beloved Dicky was laid to rest this morning surrounded by only family and closest friends,” and added, “We pray for your continued love and support during this very difficult time.”
Simmons was buried at the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary, according to a death certificate obtained by TMZ. The outlet reported that a cause of death was not listed and that the manner of death is under investigation.
According to TMZ, Simmons fell in his bathroom the night before his death and didn’t seek medical help afterward, despite his housekeeper insisting on him doing so. Simmons was helped to bed by that same housekeeper, who later discovered him unresponsive the next morning, the scene at which he was pronounced dead.
On July 18, an enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation told PEOPLE that the Los Angeles Police Department “are not pursuing the investigation as if foul play was involved at this point.”
Simmons had stayed out of the spotlight for the last decade of his life. In recent months though, he would give personal updates on his social media.
In his last interview with PEOPLE ahead of his 76th birthday, he said, “I feel good! I am grateful that I’m here, that I am alive for another day. I’ll spend my birthday doing what I do every day, which is to help people.”
