"Heaven gained another angel": Fans mourn the loss of Richard Simmons hours after 76th birthday celebration

American fitness sensation Richard Simmons, 76, has been reported dead, due to natural causes, leaving the world of fitness and bodybuilding shaken.

The man responsible for motivating countless individuals to take up fitness through his evergreen home workouts was reported dead by The Los Angeles Fire Department and the Los Angeles Police Department and later confirmed by Simmons' representative Tom Estey.

Making it even worse is the fact that Simmons gave an interview just hours before his death, on his birthday, where he admitted that he was feeling good and healthy.

"I feel good! 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," he said.

"The candle will probably be on a zucchini...You know, I'm a vegetarian.”

Fans express disbelief over Richard Simmons' death

As the news of his passing flooded the internet, Richard Simmons' fans and followers couldn't help but recollect all the loving memories they had of him. On an Instagram post uploaded by Entertainment Tonight, his fans shared their thoughts and feelings:

"Such a sad day. Helped so many. May he rest in peace and my sincere condolences to his friends and family," a fan wrote.

"Oh this is so sad. What a wonderful person. An icon of his time. May he be bounding in heaven …full of joy and happiness," another added.

One fan recalled:

"My grandma enjoyed his workouts so much. Such a done memory of him"

While another chimed in:

"Legend.❤️Heaven gained another angel."

Another netizen pointed out:

"This is so sad. I am kinda in shock to be honest 😢😢😢😢 Rest well Richard. Thanks for all you did for people and the world. He will definitely go in the history books as one of the best."

"RIP Richard, you did a lot of good helping people and you will be missed, read another heartfelt comment," another fan added.

Even though earlier this year, Richard Simmons announced via a Facebook post that he was suffering from skin cancer, the cause of death, according to the LA Fire Department's spokesman, was from natural causes.

Simmons had a sincere request to all his fans in his last interview:

"Promise me you will see your doctor and get a complete check up."

Richard Simmons' Beverly Hills exercise studio will still continue to inspire many, given the power and influence of the Internet. People like Simmons are a blessing to the fitness and bodybuilding community, and will always be remembered.

Do you have a loving memory to share about the American fitness sensation? Let us know in the comments.