Pat Boone was a huge star in the 1950s and 60s, loved by fans everywhere.
In his long career, he did many things like writing songs, acting, writing books, and speaking to inspire people. He’s even written a book about faith called “If.”
Pat got married to Shirley Lee Foley when he was only 19. Shirley was the daughter of Red Foley, a famous country music singer.
One year after starting his music career, Pat Boone became famous with his hit song “Ain’t That a Shame,” which was originally by Fats Domino. In 1956, he had a song that reached number one on the charts, and only Elvis Presley was more popular at the time.
When he was just 23, he had his own TV show called The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom. It was on ABC and aired every week for 115 episodes until 1960.
“I was the youngest person ever to have my own music show on a big TV network, at 22 years old,” Boone said in an interview with Closer magazine.
Pat Boone’s career kept getting better and better. He became one of the most famous singers in America and also acted in movies like Journey to the Center of the Earth, State Fair, and The Greatest Story Ever Told, among others.
All the while, his wife Shirley was there, supporting him. She took care of their four daughters and also worked as an actress and assistant director.
They were married for 65 years until Shirley passed away at 84. She died because of complications from vasculitis, which is a group of disorders that damage blood vessels.
“Being married to one person for 65 years isn’t common in this wild industry,” Pat Boone shared with The Christian Post. “My wife Shirley passed away last year, and now I’m alone.”
Pat Boone still lives in the house they shared for many years and doesn’t plan to move. But he says he feels the sadness of losing his wife.
“I live here alone with a housekeeper and my dog, a little cocker spaniel named Shadow,” Pat Boone shared with Closer Weekly. “It’s just me and Shadow, feeling a bit lonely. But I’m okay. I miss Shirley.”
After his wife Shirley passed away, Pat told People magazine, “We had a wonderful life together for 65 years. She’s moved on to another place, but we’ll be together again one day.”
The love and devotion that these two shared is both beautiful and inspirational. Rest in peace Shirley.
Please share with all the Pat Boone fans you know.
Fitness guru Richard Simmons dead at 76, cause of death revealed
Richard Simmons, renowned for inspiring overweight individuals to get active and adopt healthier eating habits, passed away on Saturday.
Simmons, famous for his vibrant tank tops and short shorts, brought boundless energy to television as the lively court jester of physical fitness. He turned 76 on Friday.
According to an email from Richard Simmons’ publicist Tom Estey to The Associated Press, the fitness guru passed away at his Los Angeles home. “We lost an Angel today – a true Angel,” Estey said.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that officers responded to a 911 call from Richard Simmons’ home on Belfast Drive and arrived at 9:57 a.m. on Saturday.
“Upon arrival, one rescue ambulance discovered a 76-year-old male who was pronounced deceased on-scene by firefighter/paramedics due to apparent natural causes.
“As a result, no hospital transport was necessary,” LAFD Captain Erik Scott said.
Just two days before his passing, Richard contemplated his aspirations for his legacy.
“I never thought of myself as a celebrity. People don’t know this – I’m really a shy person and a little bit of an introvert,” he told People.
“But when that curtain goes up that’s a different story. I’m there to make people happy.
“But the accolades I get from emails. I mean, today most probably, we’ll answer over 100 emails.
“And they’ll say, ‘I’m your No1 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.’”
Simmons’ brother, Lenny Simmons, confirmed the death in a statement.
“I don’t want people to be sad about my brother,” Lenny Simmons said. “I want them to remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought to people’s lives.”
“We are in shock,” Lenny added. “Please respect the family at this difficult time.”Tom Estey, Simmons’ longtime publicist, said in a statement, “Today the World lost an Angel.”
A day before his sudden passing, Simmons celebrated his 76th birthday and took to the social media to thank everyone for the birthday wishes.
“Thank you…I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life!” Simmons wrote. “I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday.”
He signed the post “Love, Richard.”
Simmons, who grew up in New Orleans, battled weight issues from a young age, tipping the scales at nearly 200 pounds by age 15. By the time he graduated from high school, he weighed 268 pounds, as documented on his website.
From 1980 to 1984, he hosted the Richard Simmons Show that focused on personal health and fitness.
He also gained fame through his aerobic exercise videos, such as 1988’s Sweatin’ to the Oldies and its sequels in 1990 and 1991.
Simmons expanded his early success with frequent appearances on various TV shows, ranging from The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson to game shows like Match Game and The New Hollywood Squares. He became a staple of late-night television during the ’90s and 2000s, appearing on shows hosted by Jay Leno and David Letterman.
Throughout the years, Simmons sold millions of workout videos. He owned a Beverly Hills exercise studio and restaurant frequented by celebrities like Barbra Streisand and Paul Newman.
Following his recent withdrawal from public life, during which he disclosed a skin illness in March 2024, speculation about Simmons’ health and well-being had circulated. His death was initially reported by TMZ.
We are so very sorry for this loss. May he rest in peace.
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