Richard Simmons Expresses Gratitude to Fans After Documentary About His Disappearance Airs
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The rare message, which arrives after 'TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons' aired on Hulu and FOX, sees the TV personality him thanking his fans for their support.

AceShowbiz - Richard Simmons took to his social media account to share a rare message following an extended absence. The message, which he shared on Thursday, August 25 after a documentary about his disappearance aired, saw him thanking his fans for their support.

"Thank you, everyone, for your kindness and love! Love, Richard," the 74-year-old star wrote on his Facebook page. He also accompanied the message with a picture of a smiling face emoji holding up a "thank you" banner.

Richard's manager Michael Catalano confirmed the post's authenticity. In a statement to PEOPLE, he said, "This was a personal post from Richard. He was moved by the reaction to the special and all the good wishes that he received. He was encouraged by the kindness."

Fans, meanwhile, showered the "Sweatin' to the Oldies" star with supportive messages. "We miss you Richard but hope you are doing what is right for you. You have given me so much joy for years, it is your time now, you deserve peace and happiness," one fan wrote in the comments section of his Facebook post. Another user commented, "I'm so proud of you for taking time for yourself. You've given so much of yourself to the world, and now it's your time. Good for you."

"You have been such a wonderful human, with so much compassion and care for so many people. The world loves you. I hope you are enjoying your time to yourself now, and have everything you could ever want, because you deserve that," someone else gushed.

Richard's post arrived following the premiere of the TMZ documentary, titled "TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons". Airing on FOX and Hulu, the documentary is about the fitness icon's life and career as well as his public disappearance. Sources told TMZ that the star was pleased and "extremely moved by the reaction of thousands of his fans who have sent well wishes" after its airing.

Richard's disappearance started in February 2014 when he suddenly stopped teaching at his famous workout studio and hasn't been seen in public since. There were rumors that he was being held hostage by his housekeeper and that he was undergoing gender reassignment surgery.

However, the new documentary claimed that Richard decided to withdraw himself from the spotlight due to a lifelong birth defect in one of his feet. "Something that happened to him at birth is directly connected to his disappearance - a birth defect that significantly affected one of his legs," TMZ managing editor Fabian Garcia declared in the documentary. "He was born without a full set of bones in his foot and it causes physical and emotional problems."

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