A legendary journalist steps out of retirement to tell the story only she could.
Tonight at 9 p.m., Diane Sawyer — largely retired from regular television for years — returns to primetime with a brand‑new ABC special, The Mystery of Richard Simmons. The hour‑long broadcast marks a rare on‑air appearance from Sawyer, underscoring the emotional weight and cultural significance of Simmons’ story.
Richard Simmons’ joyful empire gets a final Diane Sawyer close-up
ABC’s special revisits the fitness icon’s rise, retreat, and lasting emotional hold — a bright, complicated portrait of the man who turned movement into comfort, camp, and connection.
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During her visit to The View, Sawyer was welcomed with a standing ovation, and she immediately set the tone: this isn’t just a documentary — it’s a tribute to a man who changed millions of lives.
“He was a human disco ball,” Sawyer said, describing how Simmons entered every room with light, joy, and music. His “superpower,” she explained, was his mission: to help people of every size love themselves back to health. He traveled the country, called fans at home, wrote letters, and refused to give up on anyone who had given up on themselves.
Sawyer also reveals how childhood bullying — kids with baseball bats, taunts over his love of show tunes, and the pain of being an overweight little boy — became the nuclear fuel that powered his life’s work.
Inside Simmons’ home, where he spent ten secluded years, Sawyer describes a “time capsule of innocence” filled with fluffy clouds, angels, dolls, crosses, and affirmations painted on the walls — including the one he woke up to every day: “The only life worth living is a life lived for others.”
The special also addresses the decade of conspiracy theories, the viral Missing Richard Simmons podcast, and the truth of why he stayed hidden. His inner circle — including longtime assistant Teresa Reveles — shares what really happened behind closed doors.
Sawyer recounts the moment Simmons finally reached out in 2024: He saw a TV segment announcing a biopic about his life and feared his mission would be turned into satire. Shocked by the flood of love that followed his email to fans, he called Sawyer directly — sending vase after vase of flowers with the message: “I trust you.” He told her he was writing lyrics for a Broadway show and planning a comeback “bigger than ever,” complete with removing theater seats so fans could dance to Sweatin’ to the Oldies.
The special also confronts the heartbreaking truth of Simmons’ final days. His housekeeper speaks publicly for the first time, revealing that a serious fall left him immobilized for hours. The coroner ruled out heart attack and substance abuse — his death was the tragic result of complications from the fall.
Sawyer leaves viewers with a haunting question: If he hadn’t been afraid to go to the hospital, would things be different today?
Mark your calendar on us: The special airs TONIGHT — Tuesday, May 12 at 9 p.m. on ABC, and streams on DirecTV, Fubo, Sling, and Hulu + Live TV.
