Richard Simmons’ brother reveals Star was buried in workout gear
Richard Simmons.
(Photo by Harry Langdon/Getty Images)Yes, Richard Simmons was buried in his fitness outfit, but under his street clothes.
The brother of the late fitness icon Lenny Simmons spoke at his celebration of life held at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans on Saturday, October 5. In his speech, Lenny shared “a little secret” with the crowd: Richard was buried wearing a tank top and shorts, the look he had sported for most of his career.
“Just like Clark Kent among his beautiful things that he wore, his clothes, [Richard] wearing a tank top and shorts,” Lenny said Saturday. “Why, you ask? Because we believe God has a different plan for him, and we want to make sure he will wear his normal costume that we all know and love to help the saints and the angels get into shape.”
Lenny continued, “So I’m here to tell you that even though he’s not here and I know he’s here in spirit tonight, Richard Simmons will sweat with the Saints forever.”
Richard Simmons was a fitness legend starting in the 1970s. Simmons rose to fame as a pioneer with his “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” aerobics workouts, which led him to launch his own fitness studio, Slimmons, until its closure in 2016. After Slimmons closed up shop for good, the weight-loss guru retreated from the spotlight, prompting indulged in rampant conspiracy theories […]
Simmons died on July 13 at his home in Los Angeles, a day after celebrating his 76th birthday. Authorities pronounced him dead at the scene. In August, it was confirmed that his cause of death was “accidental, due to complications from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing factor,” according to a family spokesperson. Tom Estey in a statement at the time.
“The toxicology report was negative except for the medications Richard was prescribed,” Estey said in August. “The family would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support during this time of great loss. … The world has truly lost an angel.”
Richard’s celebration of life came amid his family’s battle over his estate with his housekeeper Teresa Reveles. In September, Reveles filed a petition claiming she had been pressured by Lenny and his wife. Cathyto give up her role as co-trustee of Richard’s estate. She sought to be reinstated as a co-trustee and additionally requested legal action to prevent Lenny from using his brother’s likeness and image for personal gain.
Hollywood mourned many celebrities in 2024. Speed Racer star Christian Oliver (born Christian Klepser) died at the age of 51 in a fatal plane crash on January 5. Oliver was heading home from a Caribbean vacation with his two daughters — Madita and Annik, whom he shares with wife Jessica Klepser — on Jan. 4. […]
“Richard’s message was always one of joy and positivity. “He would be heartbroken to learn of Teresa’s greed and offended if she undermined their three decades of supposed friendship in such a public manner,” Richard’s family said in a statement in response to Reveles’ filing at the time. “Her actions threaten to damage Richard’s incredible legacy, which we are committed to preserving.”
Simmons was best known for his weight-loss programs and his series of aerobics videos Sweating for the oldies. On Friday, July 12, a day before his death, he shared a message via Facebook thanking fans for their birthday messages.
“Thank you,” he wrote. “I have never received so many messages about my birthday! I’m sitting here writing emails. Enjoy the best rest of your Friday.”
