If you are or ever were a fan of fitness guru Richard Simmons, you may find yourself wondering what he’s up to these days. That’s because he’s essentially been a recluse since 2014, steering clear of public appearances and maintaining an alarmingly low profile for someone as extroverted and flashy as he once was. So where is Richard Simmons now? Has his retreat from the spotlight affected his net worth? Here’s a look at the life of Richard Simmons today.
Richard Simmons’ Career And Net Worth In 2022
We may never know the truth about Richard Simmons’ decision to steer clear of the spotlight after years of being in front of the camera. But it hasn’t seemed to affect his net worth, which CelebrityNetWorth.com estimates to be about $20 million. Clearly, he’s got some smart business managers who know how to repurpose his old career milestones—in 2017, he signed with a well-known management company to oversee licensing, merchandising, and endorsement deals.
Fox is also in on the hype: its documentary about Simmons called TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons aired on in summer 2022.
Simmons Disappeared In 2014
The speculation surrounding Simmons’ whereabouts began in 2014, as until then, he kept himself very much in the public eye. Simmons opened his own health center in 1974 as a result of his own fitness journey and desire to help others achieve similar results. Offering exercise classes and a place to connect with other people in the same situation, Slimmons Studio became enormously popular and remained open for more than 40 years.
After all that time in the spotlight, Richard Simmons suddenly retreated. At first, the fitness icon attributed his reclusiveness to a knee injury and the surgery he was struggling to recover from. “I am so touched by the outpouring of love and concern I have received today,” he said in a 2014 statement released by his management team. “I have had a tough time dealing with this injury, as it is keeping me from doing what I truly love to do, and that is to teach classes around the world. Keep on sweatin’!”
Simmons’ Decision To Close His Studio Led To Concerns For His Safety
As the years went on and the vivacious TV personality continued to stay hidden from the world, people began to suspect something more was going on. In 2016, Simmons shocked the dedicated members of his fitness community by closing his beloved studio after more than 40 years in business. Soon after, rumors began surfacing regarding Simmons’s whereabouts, including theories that he was being held against his will by his housekeeper. That theory was brought to light by the 2017 podcast Missing Richard Simmons, which devoted eight episodes to speculating about the fitness star’s state of being.
Simmons did release a response to the podcast assuring his fans that he was all right. “Hello to everyone who has shown concern for me and sent their good wishes,” the 2017 statement said. “You will never know how much it means to me. Aren’t you sick of hearing and reading about me?! LOL Well by now you know that I’m not ‘missing,’ just a little under the weather. I’m sure I will be feeling good and back home in a couple of days.”
While the statement quieted some of the fervor over Simmons’s well-being, many people were quick to point out that it was delivered through representatives and not Simmons himself. The same sentiment was expressed in 2020 when the fitness icon re-released old exercise tapes on his YouTube channel to encourage his fans to exercise during the COVID-19 lockdown. The announcement was made to media outlets via a statement from a representative—the fitness guru did not promote the videos in any sort of public appearance that confirmed proof of life.
2022 Documentary Sheds New Light On Simmons’ Health
To get some answers, TMZ produced a documentary to address the rumors about Simmons’ disappearance. The first episode of TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons was released on FOX and Hulu on August 22, 2022. According to the bombshell documentary, Simmons has suffered from a painful congenital condition affecting his feet and legs. He later had to get a knee replacement but found the procedure on his right knee too traumatizing to repeat on his left leg. As a result, he is no longer able to continue his work.
Following the documentary’s release, Simmons broke six years of silence, posting personally on his Facebook, “Thank you, everyone, for your kindness and love! 
. Love, Richard.” It seems likely that Simmons is taking this time to prioritize his own health. He certainly seems to appreciate his fans’ concern. We’re glad he’s able to put himself first, and we hope he’s enjoying the quiet life.