Richard Simmons' disappearance and legacy explored in Diane Sawyer special
A new ABC special explores Richard Simmons' rise to fame, his sudden disappearance and the untold story of his final years
LOS ANGELES -- He turned fitness into a cultural phenomenon, then vanished from public life without explanation.
Richard Simmons was a larger-than-life fitness personality known for his high-energy workouts and ability to make exercise feel accessible to millions.
In a new hour-long special, "The Mystery of Richard Simmons: A Diane Sawyer Special," the curtain is pulled back on his life and explores his cultural impact on millions.
In 2014, he suddenly stepped out of the public spotlight, choosing a life of seclusion and fueling years of speculation about where he went and why.
After nearly a decade away, Simmons quietly considered a return and reached out to Diane Sawyer to share his story, sending dozens of flowers with a simple note: "I Trust You."
Just as plans for the interview began to take shape, word broke of his sudden and unexpected death.
His older brother invited Sawyer and her team to enter Richard's home and explore the private world he had kept hidden.
The special will feature interviews with those closest to Simmons and aims to piece together what happened during those later years of his life.
"The Mystery of Richard Simmons: A Diane Sawyer Special" premieres May 12, at 9/8c on ABC and streams next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of Disney+, Hulu and this ABC station.
