New Orleans native and fitness pioneer Richard Simmons dies at 76

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Richard Simmons, the beloved fitness guru and New Orleans native, passed away today at the age of 76.

Best known for his energetic “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” workout videos, Simmons’ vibrant personality and commitment to health and wellness made him a household name.

JoLeigh Monteverde, Simmons’s childhood friend, reflected on his early life in the French Quarter. Monteverde shared heartfelt memories, vividly depicting their friendship and the charismatic boy who would become a fitness icon.

Born on July 12, 1948, Richard Simmons spent his formative years in New Orleans. Monteverde, who attended St. Louis Cathedral School with Simmons, reminisced about their daily walks to school.

MORE: Fitness icon Richard Simmons dies at 76

“My mother would walk me to school, down Bourbon Street every morning, and on the other side of the street were two boys walking parallel to us most of the time. He crossed the street, Richard Simmons crossed the street, introduced himself and his brother. From there, it started a friendship,” she recalled.

Monteverde described their friendship as immediate and profound, with their families visiting each other multiple times a week.

“He was friendly and outgoing. He made a lot of visits,” she said.

However, the families lost touch as the years passed, and Simmons began his ascent to fame.

Simmons’ first taste of celebrity came in the late 1970s with appearances on game shows and late-night television. But in 1988, with the release of his “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” workout video, he truly skyrocketed to super-stardom. The vibrant and energetic exercise routines resonated with millions, combining fitness with fun and music.

Monteverde noted that despite his fame, Simmons’s essence remained unchanged. “I would say everything you saw as an adult, it was there as a kid,” she remarked.

In 2014, Simmons retired from teaching at his studio and withdrew from the public eye. Despite his departure from the spotlight, Monteverde never forgot the friend she made during those early walks to school.

“I’m so glad for him that he was immensely successful. Using these natural abilities of his, his talent, his intelligence, his creativity, his personality,” she said.

Simmons celebrated his 76th birthday last Friday, expressing on social media how overwhelmed he was by the outpouring of birthday messages.

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