Richard Simmons: Transgender? No, Rep Says, Just Dehydrated

Richard Simmons has been experiencing much media attention of late, with alleged episodes including a disappearance, being kidnapped by a witch, and hospitalized.

Now Simmons, according to a new tabloid frenzy, is allegedly in the process of transforming into a woman.

At 67, Richard Simmons is two years older than Caitlyn Jenner was when she underwent surgery to become a woman.

The tabloid claims that Simmons has had a complete transition, including breast implant surgery and hormone therapy. The gossip includes allegations that the fitness star is dressing in drag and presenting himself as “a softly-spoken woman named Fiona.”

However, according to Breitbart News, Simmons rep, Tom Estey, vehemently denies rumors that Richard is becoming a woman.

“The story is not true and a complete fabrication.”

Simmons was hospitalized on Friday due to what was reportedly “bizarre behavior.” His longtime nanny and caretaker felt she needed to call 911.

But the star later told TMZ that he had been dehydrated, due to the summer heat, and was feeling much better after being admitted.

Simmons remained in the hospital until Monday.

Estey delivered a message following the fitness icon’s hospital stay, according to USA Today.

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out with love and concern after hearing I was in the hospital. I was dehydrated and needed some fluids and now I am feeling great! Summer is here — drink plenty of liquids. Big hugs and kisses for caring.”

Estey responded to an email from USA Today inquiring about Simmons, saying, “He’s just fine.”

Richard Simmons update: “I was dehydrated… Summer is here — drink plenty of liquids.” https://t.co/vRkMqhEnqw

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) June 6, 2016

Simmons has been living as a “virtual recluse” over the past three years. He told Entertainment Tonight that he was merely looking for solitude.

“I love all the people who worry about me. But it was time for me to take some time to be by myself. For the last 40 years I have been traveling, teaching classes, and I had a knee injury, so I had a knee replacement, which was very difficult for me… I have really just been taking it easy, staying at home, working out in my gym and doing the things I haven’t done in a very long time.”

Estey responded to rumors at that time that Richard was being held in his Hollywood home against his will by his caretaker, who was performing black magic on him. Estey called the story “ludicrous” and defended the star’s right to his privacy.

“It’s his right to do it. That’s the god’s honest truth. There’s nothing more to it than that.”

Simmons personal assistant at that time was 49-year-old Mauro Oliveira, according to College Candy. Oliveira claimed that in April 2014, Simmons had a mental breakdown after one of his dalmatians died.

“He got completely messed up. He was already having some breakdown, some mental breakdown, some problems with anger management, some falling outs. I believe it is a culmination of a lifetime. Because he’s always been high on life for his whole life and I think it finally crashed down.”

Richard Simmons — Beloved Dog’s Death Triggered Emotional Crisis https://t.co/mrSkT1SWXP via @TMZ
— Nancy J. Bailey (@cliffysmom) June 8, 2016

The dalmatian, who was named Hattie, was 17 when she died several days following Richard’s last public sighting.

Known for his signature look of a flamboyant tank top and gym shorts, Simmons has helped millions of people lose weight with his unconventional aerobics routines.

As Earnthenecklace points out, he was also popular as a guest star with comedians “thanks to [his] comical way of addressing the audience and his over-excited behavior.”

Simmons was raised in New Orleans, an exhausted, asthmatic kid tipping the scales at 268 pounds at five feet seven inches tall. In 1970, he decided to change. He developed an easy workout routine incorporating aerobics and simple dance moves that helped him lose over 125 pounds within months.

He opened an exercise studio, which eventually was called Slimmons. It was situated in Beverly Hills and became very popular and is still filled with fitness enthusiasts to this day.

Over the decades he has been training, Richard Simmons has recorded more than 12 million pounds of weight loss from all of his clients.

[Image via Lev Radin/Shutterstock]