Inside Richard Simmons' Final Days Before Death

Richard Simmons continues to be an inspiration.

After the fitness icon died at the age of 76, fans are getting a glimpse into his final days—including how he celebrated his birthday on July 12.

"I'm grateful I get to live another day," Richard told People in his final interview, conducted July 11, two days before his death. And as he explained, his 76th birthday plans included sticking on candle in a zucchini. "You know I'm a vegetarian."

He also sang himself happy birthday and shared a positive message with his fans.

"Today is a beautiful day," Richard said. "But nothing's really different. I got up this morning. I said my prayers, I counted my blessings, and then I went to work."

The Sweatin' to the Oldies host shared that he was in the midst of writing a Broadway musical about his upbringing and stardom—and he'd already "written 14 songs for" it alongside composer Patrick Leonard.

"The whole show is about my life," he explained, "from selling pralines in New Orleans at a candy store when I was a kid, to when I decided to retire. Every week, I write an audio."

He even gave a short reading of what he'd written that week.

"How do you deal with loss?" Richard said, reading the song's lyrics. "It takes a toll on your heart. Some shed many tears, others stare at the sky. It's so hard to say goodbye. Here is what I know when it's time for us to go, beautiful angels will greet us with a smile and a hello."

Yet, Richard knew his ultimate goal in life was to make those around him smile, as he noted while reflecting on his legacy.

"I'll always be the court jester," he said. "I'll always be fooling around. When the curtain goes up, I'm there to make people happy." 

And while the wellness guru admitted that he did step back from public life, he took issue with the idea that he disappeared, especially as he maintained relationships with his fans via fan mail, emails and even phone calls to those in need.

"When I decided to retire, it was because my body told me I needed to retire," he explained. "I have spent time just reflecting on my life. All of the books I wrote, the videos. I never was like, 'Oh look what I've done.' My thing was, 'Oh, look how many people I helped.'"

In fact, Richard never saw himself as a "legend" or an "icon." Instead, his focus was spreading joy and supporting those around him.

And that kindness is something Richard has extended throughout his life, most recently to his fans on social media, where he would host regular conversations and engage with them in the comments.

"Peace to all of you," he wrote on Facebook July 7, "and remember…All you need is love."

Still, he was never above poking fun at himself, sharing a video on June 26 from The Richard Simmons Show in 1982 and writing, "Wanted to make you laugh today."

And that joy and love is what his brother Lenny Simmons hopes people remember most about Richard.

"I don't want people to be sad about my brother," Lenny said in a July 13 statement to E! News. "I want them to remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought to people's lives. He truly cared about people. He called, wrote, and emailed thousands of people throughout his career to offer help. So don't be sad. Celebrate his life."

Keep reading to see more of Richard's legendary life.

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