Richard Simmons’ Family Is ‘Overwhelmed and Beyond Grateful’ for the ‘Outpouring of Love’ After His Death

The late Richard Simmons’ family shared a new statement following the late fitness guru’s death on Saturday, July 13. He died one day after his 76th birthday. 

Tom Estey, Richard’s longtime publicist, provided a statement to PEOPLE on Tuesday, July 16, on behalf of Simmons’ family: “The Simmons family is overwhelmed and beyond grateful for the outpouring of love shown to our beloved Dicky. He is up above smiling down at all of you.”

“There will be no further comment from the family at this time other than to kindly ask the media to respect Richard’s memory and grant us the time to grieve as we so desperately need to do,” the statement continued.

Hours after the news broke of his death, Richard’s brother, Lenny, spoke exclusively with PEOPLE about his late brother’s life and legacy.

“I don’t want people to be sad about my brother,” Lenny told PEOPLE. “I want them to remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought to people’s lives. He truly cared about people. He called, wrote and emailed thousands of people throughout his career to offer help.”

“So don’t be sad. Celebrate his life,” Lenny continued.

“He was very excited about all of his upcoming ventures he was working on,” Lenny told PEOPLE, adding, “We are in shock. Please respect the family at this difficult time.”

Two days before his death, Richard spoke exclusively with PEOPLE in a rare interview — which was published on Friday, July 12 — and revealed how he planned to celebrate his 76th birthday on Friday, noting that he wanted to keep things simple.

“But the candle will probably be on a zucchini. You know, I’m a vegetarian,” he said, before adding that he would try “maybe one Pepperidge Farm Milano cookie.”

“I feel good!” the late star added elsewhere in the interview. “I am grateful that I’m here, that I am alive for another day. I’ll spend my birthday doing what I do every day, which is to help people.”

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Although Richard maintained a relationship with fans, he had remained almost entirely out of the public eye since 2014. Years later, he and Lenny clarified that he wanted time off to rest.

Estey also addressed the rumors in 2017, telling PEOPLE that Richard had simply decided to step out of the spotlight.

“Richard made a choice. To live a more private life. If he decides to come back, he’ll come back,” Estey said.

In his final interview, Richard told PEOPLE he missed everyone and was aware people missed him while he remained out of the spotlight for the past decade.