ABC will air an hour-long documentary titled "The Mystery of Richard Simmons: A Diane Sawyer Special" on Tuesday, May 12 [3].

The special aims to provide closure regarding one of the most publicized disappearances in entertainment history. By examining the final decade of the fitness guru's life, the program addresses the gap between his public persona and his private seclusion.

Simmons withdrew from the public eye in 2014, sparking years of speculation about his well-being and whereabouts. The documentary examines the circumstances surrounding this withdrawal and the subsequent plans Simmons had for a professional comeback [1, 2]. It also explores the final chapter of his life, including the period of seclusion that preceded his death [1].

According to reports, Simmons died on July 11, 2024 [2, 4], at the age of 76 [2]. The special will investigate the events leading up to his death and the reality of his final years in Los Angeles [1].

The program is scheduled to broadcast from 9 to 9:59 p.m. EDT on the ABC network [3]. For viewers unable to watch the live broadcast, the special will be available for streaming the following day on Disney+ and Hulu [3].

Journalist Diane Sawyer leads the investigation, utilizing a mix of archival footage and new evidence to piece together the timeline of Simmons' retreat from fame. The documentary focuses on the dichotomy of a man who spent his career encouraging others to be healthy and visible, while he himself remained hidden from the world for over a decade [1, 2].

“The special aims to provide closure regarding one of the most publicized disappearances in entertainment history.”

The release of this documentary marks the end of a long-standing cultural mystery regarding Richard Simmons' privacy. By documenting his death in 2024 and his decade of isolation, the program shifts the narrative from a missing-person mystery to a study of mental health, aging, and the pressures of maintaining a public image.