Flashback: Suzanne Somers Recalls Last Time She Saw Richard Simmons Before He Disappeared

The iconic workout guru Richard Simmons has not been seen since February 15, 2014. That’s when he closed his fitness studio and stopped teaching. Now, the former “Three’s Company” star Suzanne Somers is opening up about the last time that she ever saw Simmons.

Somers Saw ‘Heartache’ In Simmons

In the new “TMZ Investigates” documentary “What Really Happened to Richard Simmons,” Somers recalled observing “heartache” in Simmons during their final meeting.

“One night I was on the Larry King show and he was either going to be a guest or supposed to be a guest, and I heard through the Larry King people that he didn’t want to be on the show with me,” Somers said in a clip from the documentary that was obtained by People Magazine.

Simmons, 74, had been a regular on the late-night talk show circuit for decades at that point.

“I said, ‘Why?’ and he said, ‘She’ll make fun of me.’ And that’s not my style, I never make fun of anybody. But that’s when I realized a little insecurity has gotten in there,” continued Somers, 75. “I liked him. I was always so surprised when he thought I’d make fun of him. But doesn’t that show you he’s got a heartache? Something’s broken inside because he did it. He had it and then let it go.”

Related: Suzanne Somers Reveals The Intimate Detail That Made Her 43-Year Marriage Work

Simmons’ Years In Hiding

While Simmons hasn’t been seen in eight years, he did break his silence in 2017 after he was hospitalized for stomach issues.

“Hello to everyone who has shown concern for me and sent their good wishes,” he told People Magazine at the time. “You will never know how much it means to me. Aren’t you sick of hearing and reading about me?! LOL Well by now you know that I’m not ‘missing,’ just a little under the weather. I’m sure I will be feeling good and back home in a couple of days.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Simmons re-released workout videos on his YouTube channel in the hopes of helping fans stay fit while they were stuck at home in lockdown.

“We have had an overwhelming request for Richard to return in some way as a comfort to all dealing with the pandemic,” a representative for Simmons told Fox News at the time. “We thought we would start by re-releasing some workouts and other inspirational content on his YT channel. Richard is very touched by the outreach.”

Related: Why Did Suzanne Somers Leave Three’s Company?

Theories On What’s Going On With Simmons

Various sensational theories as to why Simmons is hiding have cropped up over the years. Those theories include him being held hostage by a housekeeper, or that he is transitioning to a woman.

“What Really Happened to Richard Simmons” premiered on FOX last night, and it will also be streaming for free on Tubi beginning on August 30. Aside from Somers, the documentary also features interviews with the writer Bruce Vilanch, and Simmons’ longtime costume designer Leslie Wilshire.

Judging from Somers’ comments, it seems that fame ended up being detrimental to Simmons’ mental health. We can only hope that has found some peace and solace in the years that he has been hiding away from the public eye.