Inside Richard Simmons’ very private life: Bizarre obsessions, creepy collections… and a stalker-like fixation with A-lister who snubbed him

Inside Richard Simmons’ very private life: Bizarre obsessions, creepy collections… and a stalker-like fixation with A-lister who snubbed him

Richard Simmons, a fitness icon, was a familiar face for his bold workout fashion and energetic routines. His bedazzled tank tops and short shorts became synonymous with his public persona, while his TV programs—like the popular Sweatin’ to the Oldies—showcased his vibrant, theatrical style.

Dale Berman, a Los Angeles-based photographer, gained a rare glimpse into Simmons’s private world during a May 1996 photo session at his Beverly Hills residence. Over ten hours, Berman captured the fitness personality’s contrasting demeanor, revealing a shy, introverted side that contrasted sharply with his flamboyant public image.

“He was two different people in the home and out the door,” Berman shared with the Daily Mail. “Out of all the people I’ve photographed, he was definitely the shyest in the beginning.”

Berman had been hired to document Simmons’s home for a McCall’s editorial. The photographs remained unseen for decades until their recent debut in the Daily Mail. What the photographer expected—a showman in tiny shorts, singing and dancing—was not what he found.

Simmons’s private space was calm and understated. He wore a plain sweat suit and maintained a reserved attitude, while his home featured muted tones of peach, cream, blue, coral, and lavender. Every detail was carefully curated, and he personally oversaw the decor.

“He wanted no bright colors, no noisy prints,” Berman recalled. “He had shades of peach, cream, blue, coral, and lavender to cover the walls. He was very picky and decorated everything himself.”

Privacy was a top priority for Simmons. He forbade any photos of the home’s exterior, fearing his address might be exposed. It took nearly an hour for him to open up, eventually becoming talkative and even humming as the session progressed.

“He was very private in the beginning,” Berman noted. “It was difficult. He did not want any fans knowing where he lived. He was very protective of his privacy, extremely protective. Later, he became very talkative and was even singing once he felt comfortable with us.”

Simmons’s obsession with privacy extended beyond his home. His collection of art dolls, numbering over 250, filled the living room. Many were one-of-a-kind, valued in the tens of thousands, and custom-made for him. Among them was a standout piece: a 28-inch doll of Barbra Streisand.

“The Barbra Streisand one was special and definitely his favorite,” Berman said. “He told me he paid $10,000 to have it made. He said it was given a ‘place of honor’ and that he was obsessed with her, even to the point where he feared she might think he was a stalker.”

His fascination with celebrities wasn’t limited to dolls. Berman also documented Simmons’s trove of Dalmatian-themed items, from statuettes to aprons. The room dedicated to these collectibles was entirely lined with the breed’s likeness, including a Dalmatian print armchair.

Following his death in 2024, the majority of Simmons’s dolls—over 250—were auctioned off. Collectively, they sold for more than $177,000, showcasing the enduring appeal of his peculiar passions.