Before his death at the age of 76, Richard Simmons suffered a secret “heartache” that left him feeling like a “failure.”

Richard Simmons died believing he was a “failure” and feared for months that the upcoming biopic about his life would “humiliate” him, insiders claim.

The hyperactive fitness guru, who built a small empire in his trademark tank tops and short shorts by urging overweight people to exercise and change their diets, died of natural causes at his home in Southern California on Saturday. He was 76 years old.

Despite his success, Simmons never felt like he had “made it” and was heartbroken not to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his decades-long career.

“Richard died believing he had spent his entire life focused on his career and had never really made it,” an insider told DailyMail.com.

“He didn’t see himself as the legendary icon that everyone else knew him to be in his heyday. He saw himself as a failure and never got what he wanted in his entire life – a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. That broke his heart.”

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Once a 270-pound teenager, Simmons became a master of many forms of media, sharing his hard-won weight-loss tips as host of the Emmy-winning daytime Richard Simmons Show and author of bestselling books and the Deal-A-Meal diet plan.

His daytime show was broadcast on 200 stations in America, as well as in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan and South America. His first book, Never Say Diet, was a bestseller.

He was known for counseling people with severe obesity, including Rosalie Bradford, who held the record as the heaviest woman in the world, and Michael Hebranko, who said he helped Simmons lose 318 kilograms.

After winning a legion of fans with his infectious enthusiasm and positive attitude, Simmons retired from the spotlight in 2014.

In 2017, he was ordered to pay the National Enquirer’s legal fees after his failed attempt to sue the magazine for defamation, which had published a front-page article about his gender reassignment surgery to become a woman in 2016.

At the time, the court ruled that identifying a person as transgender did not necessarily expose them to “hatred, contempt or ridicule” and was not considered defamatory.

“Although a section of the population may despise this characteristic, the court will not confirm these prejudices by legally recognizing them,” the judge added.

Simmons had previously confirmed in an explosive legal dispute with the publisher that he was not transsexual and had even made a list of reasons for this.

Simmons’ humiliation about the lawsuit prompted him to Do not hesitate to give your blessing to the upcoming biopic about his life starring Pauly Shore for fear of exposing yourself to further hurt and public ridicule.

“He felt humiliated by some of the things that have happened over the last few years and feels like he has let down his true fans,” the insider said. “So he just wanted to be left alone.”

“He was always searching for an identity and trying to please everyone. The sad thing about his death was that after years of inner torment, he had finally reached a point where he began to move on and accept himself.”

“Richard didn’t agree to it at first because he didn’t like looking in the mirror,” the insider said.

“He never looked at his old videos or performances because he was very self-critical. He felt cornered.”

“He cared deeply about his fans but was so afraid of becoming the butt of jokes. He tried to stand firm on the issue for fear of being humiliated even more, but Pauly assured him that wasn’t going to happen.

“Pauly wanted to include him in the process and told Richard he didn’t want to hurt him. In the end, he was humbled that a film was being made about him.

“But he was not ready to look at his life because he felt so much pain and regret. He died not knowing what an icon he was.”

Shore previously played Simmons in the short film “The Court Jester,” written and directed by Jake Lewis.

The 10-minute project received a standing ovation at its premiere in Park City, Utah, in January.

At the time, Simmons distanced himself from the biopic and told his fans that he had not given his permission for it.

“You may have heard that they may be making a movie about me with Pauly Shore,” he wrote on Facebook.

“I never gave my permission for this film. I no longer have a manager or a press agent. I’m just trying to live a quiet life and be peaceful. Thank you for all your love and support.”

It came a day after he refused to give interviews, writing: “I wanted you all to know that I am fine and happy. Many people have asked me for interviews.”

“But right now, I don’t want to do that. It’s a gray and rainy day here in Los Angeles, but my heart is filled with your kindness toward me.”

Simmons’ spokesman confirmed his death in a statement to The Associated Press on Saturday. He did not provide further details.

Los Angeles police and firefighters responded to a home where a man had died of natural causes. AP was able to match the address to Simmons’ using public records.

Simmons announced his diagnosis of skin cancer in March 2024, one day after panicking his fans with the “news” that he was dying.