Richard Simmons gave a moving final interview just TWO DAYS before he died: ‘I know people miss me’

Richard Simmons acknowledged his legion of adoring fans in a moving interview he gave just two days before his death at age 76 on Saturday.

Simmons spoke with People Thursday, the day before he celebrated his 76th birthday and two days before his death at his home in Los Angeles.

At the end of the interview, the fitness impresario told the media that he was “missed” for keeping a low profile for the past decade, and was asked if he understood why fans loved him so much.

“I know people miss me,” Simmons told the outlet. “And you know what? I miss them, too. But I can reach them through phone calls … and through emails.”

Simmons also admitted in his last interview that he hid his appearance when he appeared in public.

The fitness impresario was photographed at a March 1999 event at the University of Nebraska

“I do go out sometimes,” Simmons said. “But I’m in disguise.”

According to the outlet, the interview with Simmons just before his death was his first since 2014, the year he stopped making public appearances.

The New Orleans star has been a regular on television to promote his fitness industry endeavors, including studios, books, weight-loss programs and videos. He has been the center of speculation over the past decade after he stopped appearing in public, leading to speculation about his safety and well-being.

Sources close to the late celebrity told the media that the reason he withdrew from the public eye was a knee surgery he had undergone, and a second surgery on the knee that he refused to undergo.

Simmons told People on Thursday that he also feared skin cancer after undergoing surgery to remove the cancer earlier this year.

“Basal cell carcinoma, that was scary,” Simmons said of the condition. “But it never came back.”

Simmons told the newspaper that he aims to spread optimism and positivity among people facing similar health issues.

“So many people have cancer,” Simmons said. “I call them, I sing to them, ‘You’re going to get through this. You just have to believe that.'”

Sources close to the late celebrity told the outlet that the reason he was withdrawing from the public eye was a knee surgery he had undergone, and a second surgery on the knee he had refused to undergo. Pictured in NYC in 2006

Simmons told the outlet that he had been working on a musical with composer Patrick Leonard in recent months. Pictured in October 2013

Simmons told the newspaper that he has been collaborating on a musical with composer Patrick Leonard in recent months.

“I wrote 14 songs for a Broadway show,” he said. “And I work with a great guy — Patrick Leonard. I don’t know if you know his name, but he’s written music for Madonna, Elton John. He’s one of the greatest.

“And we talk a couple times a week. I write the lyrics and he writes the music. The whole show is about my life – from selling chocolates in a candy store in New Orleans when I was a kid, to when I decided to retire.”

Simmons gradually returned to public view, communicating with his fans earlier this year via X/Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, and via email.

He told People Thursday: “Today is a beautiful day. But there’s really nothing else. I got up this morning. I said my prayers, I counted my blessings and then I went to work.

“You know? And writing messages, answering emails — and if the email is really extreme, I’ll ask for their numbers and call them. I feel great because I’m helping people.”

His last social media post appeared on Saturday, in which he quoted a line from the 1968 musical comedy Funny Girl.

Simmons had slowly been re-emerging into his public persona, communicating earlier this year on X/Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, and via email with his fans. Pictured in August 2013

Simmons was asked about his low-key interactions with his fans, and he told the outlet that he measured his success by the number of people he had helped and inspired.

“Well, when I decided to retire, it was because my body was telling me to retire,” Simmons said. “I spent time reflecting on my life. All the books I’ve written, the videos.

“I never thought, ‘Look what I’ve done.’ I thought, ‘Look how many people I’ve helped.'”