Richard Simmons’ Brother Says He Was Planning a Comeback to Help 'New Generation' Struggling with Their Weight (Exclusive)

Lenny Simmons, brother of the late Richard Simmons, is reflecting on the fitness guru’s life and legacy.

Shortly after news broke that Richard died at age 76 on July 13, Lenny spoke exclusively with PEOPLE, revealing that his brother’s work wasn’t done and he was planning a comeback before his death.

After growing up struggling with weight issues, Richard first found fame opening up Ruffage and the Anatomy Asylum — a combination health-food eatery and exercise studio in 1974. This marked the beginning of his fitness empire, releasing five bestselling books, producing more than 50 workout videos, hosting weight loss cruises, teaching classes at his Slimmons studio in Beverly Hills, and appearing on talk shows and speaking tours.

Lenny admits that Richard — who had not been seen in public since 2014 and eventually closed his famed fitness studio — recently wanted to make a return and help the next generation with their weight.

“I think the way kids are growing up today with their phones and all that, and not getting out… there's a need again, and I think that's why he came out of retirement,” he tells PEOPLE of his brother. “He knew — if you read some of his posts — people will say, ‘I used to watch your videos with my grandparents.’ So, you know, it's a new generation that is watching.”

Lenny says he’s hoping Richard’s iconic fitness videos come back out because “they're just as relevant now as they were then.”

“At 76, I don't know if he could have kept up with some of the things he did when he was 30,” he quips. “But the point is, I think he realized that he needed to be out there again for a new generation of people who are having problems like they were many years ago -

‘Wait, We’re Breathing the S,...

.”

“Sometimes we just don't know how long we have in this world,” Lenny adds. “I think coming out of this, there may be people that will show up and say, ‘I want to continue that legacy,’ … I hope so.”

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The professional fitness coach's longtime publicist, Tom Estey, confirmed Richard's death to PEOPLE on Saturday after TMZ first reported the news. The outlet cited reports from law enforcement, and added that no foul play was suspected.

According to the outlet, authorities responded to a call from the former Richard Simmons Show star's housekeeper at around 10 a.m. PT on Saturday. "The world has truly lost an angel," Estey told PEOPLE of Richard.

Two days before his death, Richard also opened up to PEOPLE about his legacy and admitted that he doesn’t consider himself an icon or legend.

“I never thought of myself as a celebrity,” he said in his final interview. “People don't know this, I'm really a shy person and a little bit of an introvert. But when that curtain goes up that's a different story. I'm there to make people happy.” 

Richard continued, “But the accolades I get from s. I mean, today most probably, we'll answer over 100 s. And they'll say, ‘I'm your No. 1 fan.’ And I just write back, and I say, you know, ‘Don't say that because I'm a human being just like you. And I know that you do good things, too.’”

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