Richard Simmons’ mysterious last days are once again in the spotlight and someone who was there finally speaks out. Simmons was found dead in his Los Angeles house on July 13, 2024. This was just a day after he celebrated his 76th Birthday. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s report, Richard Simmons’ death has been ruled accidental. It is believed to be due to complications caused by recent falls. Heart disease was also a contributing cause.
Richard Simmons’ housekeeper recalls finding him ‘on the floor’
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Teresa Reveles, a longtime housekeeper, shares her story for the first in the upcoming ABC special titled “The Mystery of Richard Simmons – A Diane Sawyer Special”. In a teaser trailer for the documentary, she said: “This is the very first time I have spoken about it.”
Reveles was one of the last people alive to see Simmons, and she was the one who discovered him. “When I arrived here, I saw him on his floor,” she said.
The special, hosted by Diane Sawyer aims to “take viewers inside a mystery”, while revisiting Simmons’ life, career and sudden disappearance from public view. The documentary includes interviews with those who knew him best, including Rosie O’Donnell. She reflects on the uniqueness of Simmons. “I think he loved to bring people back to health,” said Rosie O’Donnell.
Diane Sawyer’s new special explores the rise, retreat, and silence of Simmons
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Simmons became famous in the late 1970s when he launched his Beverly Hills fitness studio Slimmons. The studio was known for its inclusive exercise approach. In the 1980s, Simmons became a household name due to his hugely popular workout videos. “Sweatin to the Oldies” helped define the home fitness culture. After decades in the spotlight Simmons began to step back in the 2000s and eventually disappeared from public life around 2014.
The special addresses this abrupt shift. Sawyer questions the length of his absence, and Michael Catalano reflects on how things have evolved. Catalano says, “He felt love,” to which Sawyer replies, “Until he did not.”
“Then, it got really quiet,” Catalano continued.
New Richard Simmons Documentary Promises to ‘Pull back the Curtain’ on His Life, Legacy, and Final Years
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The documentary also explores Simmons’ upbringing, his rise in fame, and the emotional bond he built with his fans over decades. It teases with new revelations including a long-awaited telephone call after years of silence, and intimate moments between Lenny Simmons and his family. The special aims to “pull the curtain back” on the man who created a “joyful” revolution in fitness, and left a lasting cultural impression.
In true Simmons style, his humor is still a part of the story. Richard always said that he didn’t care whether people were laughing with him or at him. Catalano remembered. “I just want them to laugh,” he said. Even in his final chapter Simmons’ legacy continues sparking curiosity, emotion and conversation.
Diane Sawyer Behind The Scenes
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The trailer for this special was released by PEOPLE Friday. It opens with archival video of Simmons, giving a glimpse at the mindset that made him famous. “We all wait for support from others and sometimes we don’t get it,” said Simmons. “That’s the reason God made me.”
The special then reflects on his childhood, with the narrator wondering, “How could a little boy, who had to run away from bullies, defy the odds, and become a superstar?” The special begins with the statement, “There was only one Richard Simmons.” However, the tone quickly changes to focus on one of the most important questions surrounding his legacy. “Then one day, he vanished for a decade.”
Richard Simmons’ Decades-Long Disappearance Raises Questions
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For those who are unaware, Simmons quietly left the public eye in 2014. He stopped teaching and cancelled appearances. He also cut off communication with his fans, which sparked widespread speculation and concern.
His absence for years fueled rumors about health, well-being and his personal life, especially since he had built his career around connection and accessibility. His closest friends claimed that he wanted privacy. But the silence only added to the mystery.
The Blast first published “Richard Simmons’ Housekeeper Breaks Silence on Final Moments” in The Blast.
