RICHARD SIMMONS SHOCK AS STAR'S PRICEY COLLECTION OF EERIE DOLLS GOES UP FOR AUCTION
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Richard Simmons's pricey collection of hundreds of eerie dolls is hitting the auction block just over a year after his death.
Simmons passed away in July 2024 after being found unresponsive by his housekeeper at his Los Angeles mansion - just one day after celebrating his 76th birthday.
Simmons's cause of death was ruled 'accidental due to complications from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing factor,' as revealed by the Los Angeles Coroner's office.
And now, fans of the late fitness guru will be able to get their hands on his beloved doll collection as 'more than 250' of them will soon be auctioned off.
The 'live' auction event, titled Marquis: The Art Doll Collection of Richard Simmons Cataloged Auction, will take place on December 6, 2025 at Theriault's in Annapolis, Maryland. Absentee, telephone and internet bidding will also be available.
Many of the dolls, including a figurine of Barbra Streisand which is expected to sell for $3,500 on the high end, are described as 'one of a kind.'
'Contemporary doll art, often referred to as figural art, takes center stage at this extraordinary auction of the finest one-of-a-kind or extremely limited artist dolls, with examples from all categories including beautiful women, expressive children, fantasy, mythological and whimsical,' the official Theriault's description reads.
Simmons' 28in Barbra doll was commissioned by the star over 30 years ago and brought to life by NIADA artist Lisa Lichtenfels.
It was officially unveiled in 1995 at the International Doll Show in Chicago, Illinois.
While it ranks as the priciest of Simmons' collection up for auction, many of the dolls available creep up into the $1,000 range.
A striking 17in bridal figurine by NIADA artist Antonette Cely, called Here Comes the Bride, has a $1,500 estimate, while a set of three dolls, also by Cely, called Three 18th Century Style Ladies have a starting bid of $1,500 but could sell for upwards of $1,800.
Another stand-out in terms of price point is a 25in Lisa Lichtenfels creation called Portrait of Woman with Red Feathered Wings, which is estimated to sell between $1,800 to $2,200.
Whimsical, fantasy-themed dolls make up most of Simmons' collection.
The eeriest of the bunch is a 6in figurine called Elf-Like Child Holding Little Doll, which was created by NIADA artist Gail Lackey.
The doll, with its piercing blue eyes and elf ears, is estimated to go for between $300 and $400 at auction.
Simmons owned several elf figurines by Lackey, including a 12in Large Elf with Very Pronounced Facial Model and Blue Glass Eyes doll, which is expected to sell for between $800 and $1,200.
An 8in Elf with Blue Glass Eyes doll, also a Lackey creation, was photographed beside Large Elf for the auction with a starting bid of $500.
A hand-sculpted doll of Alice from Alice In Wonderland, which dons the character's signature blue dress and features blonde human hair, has a starting bid of $700 and is expected to go for $900.
A 19in doll by NIADA artist Scott Gray called Here is My Handle depicts a teapot-woman hybrid and is expected to go for between $900 and $1,200.
A 19in cloth doll from the Nancy Latham Wistful Children Series, issued in 2012, is listed as 'one of a kind' with a starting bid of $500 and an estimated worth of $700.
A 'one of a kind' Ebony-Black Complexioned Girl by artist Gloria Tepper is also part of the 321-piece lot. The doll, standing at 26 inches, was created in 1996 and is expected to go for between $500 and $800.
A dual figurine depicting two senior citizens, called Sunday Church Goers and created by NIADA artist Annie Wahl, stands at 11 inches and is expected to go for $400 at auction.
Pair of Laughing Children on Porch Chair, another dual figurine creation by artists Pat and Glen East, is up for auction with a $400 starting bid and an estimated $600 worth.
One 9in doll named Weeping Child at Ballet Lessons depicts a small blonde girl in a classic pink tutu and has a starting bid of $200.
It's estimated to sell for $300 - making it among the most affordable of Simmons's collection.
Asian Girl with White Ball, a seated 10in creation by Pat and Glen East, also has an estimated $300 worth with a starting bid of $200.
For those unable to bid on one of Simmons's dolls, Theriault's is selling a 'keepsake catalog' for $69 featuring high-quality photos and descriptions of the 'more than 250 important pieces' that will be presented at the auction on December 6.
According to the website, Simmons was an 'early patron of NIADA,' which is the 'international organization of doll artists, supportive patrons, and friends,' and a 'well-known figure' at doll conventions for years.
'The pieces that meant most to [Simmons], not only for their artistry, but also for personal memories, were always the ones that he kept,' Theriault's revealed.
'According to his family, it was his wish that these works of art now be shared with others.'
News of Simmons's dolls going up for auction comes just one day after it was revealed that the price on the late star's Los Angeles mansion had been reduced just five months after it was put on the market.
The home was originally listed for $6,999,999 back in June, but now property records obtained by TMZ show Simmons' estate reduced the asking price by $410k on Saturday - making it now $5,889,999.
The gated, colonial-style Hollywood Hills home is located above the Sunset Strip and contains four bedrooms, five bathrooms - along with an array of amenities.
According to the home's listing, which is being held by John A. Lucy of Keller Williams Hollywood Hills and currently states the price is now $6,500,000, the property was built in 1937 and features a maid's suite, pool, pool house, updated kitchen, music room, and terraced side yard.
The reclusive fitness guru resided at the home with his devoted friend and house manager, Teresa Reveles, and abruptly stopped making public appearances in 2014, sparking concern from fans.
Simmons died at the home last year, just one day after celebrating his 76th birthday.
He was found unresponsive in his home by Reveles on July 13, 2024 - just one day after celebrating his 76th birthday.
A cause of death was revealed back in August 2024, with the Los Angeles Coroner's office informing Simmons' brother Lenny that the death had been 'accidental due to complications from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing factor.'
'The toxicology report was negative other than medication Richard had been prescribed,' family spokesperson Tom Estey told People. 'The Family wishes to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support during this time of great loss.'
Lenny had previously told People that he didn't want 'people to be sad about my brother,' but rather to 'remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought to people's lives.'
'He truly cared about people. He called, wrote and emailed thousands of people throughout his career to offer help,' Lenny said.
Simmons had fallen in the bathroom of his home on Friday, July 12, 2024 - which marked his 76th birthday - and Reveles had attempted to persuade him to seek immediate medical help, but he declined because it was his birthday, TMZ previously reported.
Simmons said he didn't want to go anywhere, informing her that he might go on July 13. Reveles helped him safely get back to his bedroom, where she found him unresponsive the following morning on the floor at around 10 a.m., according to the outlet. He was later pronounced dead on the scene.
'When I saw him, he looked peaceful,' she told People in July 2024 of finding Simmons.
She noted his hands were balled into fists, prompting her to believe he died of a heart attack. 'That's why I know it was a heart attack. I had a heart attack a few years ago, and my hands did the same.'
Simmons was a legendary fitness guru who grew up in the French quarter of New Orleans before settling in California.
He weighed 268 pounds when he graduated from high school, his website said.
His own story of struggling with weight loss, where he tried everything from fad diets to laxatives before settling on exercise and better lifestyle choices, inspired millions to do the same.
Simmons became a master of many media forms, sharing his hard-won weight-loss tips as host of the Emmy-winning daytime 'Richard Simmons Show' and author of best-selling books and the diet plan Deal-A-Meal.
He also opened exercise studios and starred in exercise videos, including the wildly successful 'Sweatin' to the Oldies' line, which became a cultural phenomenon.
Simmons' daytime show was seen 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 smash best-seller.
He was known to counsel the severely obese, including Rosalie Bradford, who held records for being the world's heaviest woman, and Michael Hebranko, who credited Simmons for helping him lose 700 pounds.
After winning a legion of fans with his infectious enthusiasm and positivity, Simmons stepped away from the limelight in 2014.
TMZ founder Harvey Levin later said the fitness icon doesn't spend all his time at his home.
'We found out he likes going to the beach, he'll go shopping, he'll just go out and get air,' he told Good Day in 2022.
In 2022, Simmons' spokesperson Tom Estey provided a statement to the New York Post saying that he was 'happy, healthy and living the life he has chosen to live.'
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