Richard Simmons was buried in a special outfit that reflected his career as a fitness icon. His brother, Lenny Simmons, revealed during a celebration of life event in New Orleans that Richard was buried in a tank top and shorts, the signature look he had worn throughout his career. Lenny shared this “little secret” with the crowd, explaining that they wanted to ensure Richard was in his normal costume to help the saints and angels get into shape in the afterlife. He emphasized that Richard would always be remembered for his dedication to fitness and health.
Richard Simmons passed away on July 13 at his Los Angeles home, one day after celebrating his 76th birthday. The cause of his death was later confirmed to be accidental, with complications from recent falls and heart disease listed as contributing factors. The toxicology report came back negative, except for the medication Richard had been prescribed. Family spokesperson Tom Estey expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support from fans, stating that the world had truly lost an angel in Richard.
The celebration of life for Richard Simmons was overshadowed by a battle over his estate between his family and his housekeeper, Teresa Reveles. Reveles filed a petition alleging that Lenny and his wife, Cathy, had pressured her to give up her role as a co-trustee of Richard’s estate. She sought to be restored as a co-trustee and requested legal action to prevent Lenny from using his brother’s likeness and image for personal profit. Richard’s family responded by criticizing Reveles for her actions, stating that Richard would have been heartbroken by her greed and the public nature of their dispute.
Throughout his career, Richard Simmons was best known for his weight-loss programs and aerobics videos, such as Sweatin’ to the Oldies. Just before his death, he expressed gratitude for the birthday messages and well wishes from fans on Facebook. His positive message of joy and positivity was a hallmark of his persona, and his family worked hard to preserve his incredible legacy despite the challenges they faced over his estate. The outpouring of love and support from fans continued even after his passing, demonstrating the lasting impact he had on those who followed his fitness programs.
