The late fitness icon Richard Simmons’ family responded to claims made by his housekeeper, Teresa Reveles, that she was pressured into relinquishing her role as the co-trustee of his estate following his death. Reveles alleged that Richard’s brother and sister-in-law asked her to sign documents revoking her trustee role as she was grieving the loss of her boss. She claimed she signed away her title out of fear of losing her inheritance and is now seeking to be restored as a co-trustee while also seeking legal action to prevent Richard’s brother from using his image and likeness for personal profit.
In response, Richard’s family refuted Reveles’ claims, stating that she was a significant beneficiary of Richard’s will and that Richard took impeccable care of her and made sure she was well taken care of even after his passing. The family stated that Reveles had made an informed decision to decline serving as co-trustee, which does not affect her status as a beneficiary. They also accused Reveles of attempting to charge the estate for her living expenses and potentially wasting estate assets on meritless and pointless litigation, including pitching a documentary to Netflix that could be harmful to Richard’s legacy.
Richard Simmons passed away in his Los Angeles home just one day after his 76th birthday. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call from his housekeeper, and he was pronounced dead at the scene when officers arrived. His official cause of death was later determined to be accidental due to complications from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing factor, according to a family spokesperson in late August.
In an interview with People in July, Reveles recalled finding Richard in his bedroom with his hands balled into fists, describing him as peaceful and suggesting that he likely died of a heart attack based on her own previous experience with having a heart attack. She also mentioned that she believed Richard died happy. The family’s response to her claims and the ongoing legal battle over his estate raise questions about the legacy of the beloved fitness icon and the complexities that can arise in managing his affairs after his passing.
The controversy surrounding Richard Simmons’ estate raises concerns about the impact of personal relationships and financial matters on his legacy. The family’s accusations of greed and unwarranted legal actions by his housekeeper shed light on the challenges of preserving a public figure’s reputation after their death. The conflicting accounts of Richard’s care for Reveles and her alleged attempts to profit from his estate highlight the complexities of managing the affairs of a beloved celebrity and the potential for disputes over their legacy and assets.
