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 an A-lister

From the outside, Richard Simmons was a flamboyant figure synonymous with fitness. His vibrant workout attire and energetic TV routines made him a household name, blending humor with health enthusiasm. Yet, beyond the glitz and glamour, a different side of the icon emerged during a rare glimpse into his personal space.

Dale Berman, a Los Angeles-based photographer, captured this contrast in May 1996 when he documented Simmons’s Beverly Hills residence for a McCall’s editorial. The images, which had remained unseen since the 1990s, are now featured exclusively in the Daily Mail, revealing a world far removed from the fitness guru’s public persona.

“He was definitely the shyest among the people I’ve worked with,” Berman shared. “Two distinct personalities existed between his home and the outside world.”

Despite his famed charisma on camera, Simmons maintained a quiet demeanor during the photo session. He wore a plain sweat suit and avoided the flashy outfits that defined his televised workouts. His home reflected this restraint, with soft hues of peach, cream, and lavender adorning the walls, and a subdued, elegant aesthetic that contrasted sharply with the lively energy he projected elsewhere.

“He wanted no bright colors or loud prints,” Berman noted. “He meticulously curated every detail, decorating the space himself.”

Privacy was a non-negotiable priority for Simmons. He insisted on keeping the exterior of his home out of the photos, ensuring his address remained confidential. It took an hour for him to feel at ease, gradually opening up to the photographer as the session progressed.

“He was very private in the beginning,” Berman recalled. “It was challenging. He didn’t want fans to know his location and was fiercely protective of his personal space. Later, he became talkative, even humming along as we worked.”

Simmons’s private world was also filled with peculiar passions. His living room housed an impressive array of art dolls, each displayed on shelves and pedestals. Over 250 of these unique pieces, many worth tens of thousands, were part of his collection. Among them, a Barbra Streisand replica stood out as his favorite.

“He paid $10,000 to have that 28-inch doll custom-made,” Berman said. “It was placed in the living room with a ‘place of honor.’ He confessed his admiration for Streisand, even joking that he might be perceived as a stalker for his obsession.”

Beyond dolls, Simmons’s fascination extended to Dalmatian memorabilia. The walls of a dedicated room were lined with tchotchkes and statuettes, while a Dalmatian-print armchair added a playful touch to the space. Even in his kitchen, he wore a matching apron, underscoring his deep connection to the breed.

After Simmons’s passing in 2024, his doll collection was auctioned off, fetching over $177,000. The sale highlighted the value of his eccentric tastes, though it also offered a glimpse into the private life that had long been hidden from the public eye.