Michele Stueven
On what would have been his 77th birthday on Saturday, the Bonhams: Sweat and Soul: The Personal Collection of Richard Simmons auction went live, offering a motherlode of items from one of the most beloved and parodied fitness personalities of the last 50 years.
Richard Simmons framed photo (Courtesy Bonhams)
Richard Simmons, who died in 2024, was a pioneer in the wellness and fitness space. Throughout his 40-year career, Simmons hosted his television show, The Richard Simmons Show, which garnered four Emmys, held an LA fitness studio, Slimmons, produced more than 50 workout aerobics videos, including his iconic “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” franchise, and immortalized Dolfin shorts.
The auction includes a selection of Simmons’ personal items, including more than 100 of his iconic bedazzled tank tops, shorts, and branded memorabilia. The tank tops offered in the sale are all estimated between $200 – $300. Standouts include some of his most famous looks, such as his ‘Sweatin’ to the Oldies’ ensemble, worn during a 2012 ‘Slimmons’ class; a ‘Hummingbird’ tank top Simmons wore to the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, and a custom ‘Pom Pom Ball’ tank top worn during a 2011 appearance on Entertainment Tonight
Aside from Simmons’ personal clothing collection, other items throughout the sale feature a variety of branded memorabilia. Estimated between $200 – $300, highlights include a group of Richard Simmons’ ‘Food Mover’ products; a group of Richard Simmons Cookbooks and Aprons; and a group of Richard Simmons VHS Exercise tapes, posters, a portrait of the workout guru and his Dalmatians, by Frank Cummings, estimated $800 – $1,200, and some of his personal gym equipment.
The auction runs through Thursday, July 24. Check out the bedazzled selection of custom tank tops in our photo gallery, courtesy of Bonhams.
Richard Simmons Custom ‘Pom Pom Ball’ Tank Top (Courtesy Bonhams)