Richard Simmons’ funeral was held privately in Los Angeles on Friday, nearly a week after his death.
“Our beloved Dickie passed away in his sleep this morning surrounded by only family and close friends,” his brother, Lenny Simmons, told People magazine in a statement provided through longtime publicist Tom Esty.
“We pray for everyone’s continued love and support during this difficult time.”
Lenny urged her late sibling’s fans to “never forget the pure joy and love they brought to people’s lives”, saying Richard “truly cared about people” and “called, wrote and emailed thousands of people throughout his career to offer his help”.
“So don’t be sad,” Lenny urged. “Celebrate his life.”
According to TMZ, the legendary fitness guru was buried at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Funeral Home.
The media outlet obtained his death certificate, which does not list a cause of death, instead stating that the cause of death is still under investigation.
The death certificate also describes Richard as a “health advocate” and notes that he never married and was single at the time of his death.
Richard, who happened to be his 76th birthday last Friday, reportedly said he felt dizzy before falling in his bathroom.
According to TMZ, a housekeeper tried to help him up and get him immediate medical attention, but he refused, wanting to stay home for his birthday.
He reportedly told the housekeeper he might see a doctor the next day before returning to bed.
A housekeeper found the aerobics instructor unresponsive on the floor next to her bed around 10 a.m. Saturday, police said.
According to TMZ, Richard showed no obvious signs of injury, such as bruising or bleeding, after the fall.
The New Orleans man was pronounced dead at the scene, but there were reportedly no signs of foul play.
In a rare interview released just a day before his death, Richard said he was “feeling good” and “grateful” to be “alive”.
In March, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with and treated for skin cancer “many years ago.”
