Richard Simmons Was Sent ‘Something The Day He Passed’ For His Final, Unreleased Musical Project That He Never Got To Hear

Last month, the fitness guru Richard Simmons died suddenly one day after his 76th birthday. At the time of his death, Simmons was working on a musical about his iconic life with the longtime Madonna collaborator Patrick Leonard.

Now, Leonard is opening up about the fitness guru’s death for the first time.

‘I Sent Him Something…’

“He had sent me some lyrics, and I wrote some melodies to them, and that was the beginning of it,” Leonard, 68, told The New York Post. “And then he passed … I sent him something the day he passed that he never heard.”

Leonard went on to say that they’d made a lot of progress on the musical before Simmons’ death.

 “I think there were eight pieces [done],” he said. “These things were very personal, and they were very autobiographical and very time-stamped, you know, at certain times in his life and his career.

Related: Tragic New Details Emerge About Richard Simmons’ Death

Future Of Musical Uncertain

Now that Simmons has passed away, however, Leonard is not sure about the future of this musical.

“I don’t know what’s happening with it, honestly,” he said. “I feel so bad for everyone who lost him so dramatically and so quickly … And so there’s a lot of that grieving right now. And I think once it settles, those people will come forward with whatever they think should happen, and we look at it then … I’d like to see it continue.”

“But you know, part of it, for me, was talking to Richard,” Leonard added. “Because then I really have it … Without him, you know, who’s guiding it? It’s very easy to talk to him and get the feeling [for] these pieces that we wrote. And so if suddenly there’s another lyricist, or I’m writing lyrics, or a couple of us are writing lyrics, or whatever it is, it’s not his voice.”

Leonard concluded by saying that he believes Simmons’ life story truly would resonate with audiences as a stage show.

“It’s really beautiful, because he was extremely devoted to helping people,” he said. “And there’s something about that. I think if you can tell that story right, you can move people — and even inspire people.” 

Related: Richard Simmons’ Housekeeper, The Only Witness, Reveals How She Thinks He Really Died

Simmons Found Dead

Simmons was found dead by his housekeeper on July 13, one day after his 76th birthday. He had suffered a fall in his bathroom the night before, but refused to go to the hospital because he wanted to spend his birthday at home.

The exact cause of Simmons’ death has yet to be revealed. While police are investigating, they do not suspect foul play.

“He died happy,” his housekeeper said after his death.

Simmons was a true legend, and there will never be another one like him. We can only hope the musical about Simmons’ life continues to move forward, because we would love to see it!