My last meeting with Richard Simmons before disappearance

August 23, 2022

Legendary workout guru Richard Simmons hasn’t been seen since 2014, when he vanished from the public eye.

Suzanne Somers recalled her last encounter with him in the new “TMZ Investigates” documentary “What Really Happened to Richard Simmons” — and how she observed “heartache” in the mysterious “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” star.

Simmons, 74, was last seen on Feb. 15, 2014, when he closed his fitness studio and ceased all teaching.

Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen - Season 17 — “Something’s broken inside because he did it. He had it and then let it go,” Somers said of Simmons.

Richard Simmons — Simmons was known for his outrageous exercise videos and weight-loss programs in the 1980s.

The “Three’s Company” alum, 75, looked back in the documentary about her last moments with Simmons, noting how she was supposed to appear on “Larry King Live” one evening.

“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 revealed in the doc.

Simmons was a regular on the late-night talk show circuit throughout the years.

Somers went on: “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.”

“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,” the “Ageless” author added.

Simmons sort of emerged back into the spotlight during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020, when he re-released workout videos on his YouTube channel to help others stay fit while in lockdown.

In 2017, Simmons spoke out for the first time in three years following his hospitalization for stomach problems.

“Hello to everyone who has shown concern for me and sent their good wishes,” the fitness guru told People in a statement at the time.

He continued: “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.”

“TMZ Investigates: What Really Happened to Richard Simmons” premiered on Aug. 22 and can be streamed on Tubi beginning on Aug. 30.