Richard Simmons' longtime caretaker, Teresa Reveles, shares her memories of the fitness icon in the days leading up to his death, including her belief that he died of a heart attack and his decision to withdraw from the public eye due to health and self-image issues.
Richard Simmons' longtime caretaker, Teresa Reveles, has opened up about the final days of the fitness icon, who died on July 13 at the age of 76.
Reveles, who worked for Simmons for nearly four decades, told People magazine that she found him in his bedroom on the day that he died. "When I saw him, he looked peaceful," she said, adding that his hands were balled into fists. "That's why I know it was a heart attack."
Richard Simmons' Caretaker Reveals Heartbreaking Details of His Final Days
Reveles denied the notion that she was ever Simmons' housekeeper, emphasizing that she oversaw his Beverly Hills home and cooking responsibilities. "His housekeeper is someone else, she's worked here for 40 years," she clarified.
Reveles began working with Simmons in 1986, just before his "Sweatin' to the Oldies" popularity soared. She recalled Simmons telling her, "Teresa, come in, you are never going to leave. We are going to be together until I die."
Richard Simmons' Caretaker Reveals Heartbreaking Details of His Final Days
"And you know what? His dream came true. He knew somehow," Reveles added.
Despite missing her friend, Reveles insisted on keeping his memory alive. "I want to celebrate Richard. He died happy," she said.
Richard Simmons' Caretaker Reveals Heartbreaking Details of His Final Days
Reveles described Simmons as her "companion," saying that they lived and traveled together, and often ate meals together. "If I was in the kitchen and then I come into the living room, he would hide and jump out, being so loud that he would scare me to death," she recalled. "I'd start screaming, 'Richard, you almost killed me!'" He'd just laugh and say, 'Teresa, almost doesn't count.'"
Reveles said that Simmons knew his fans felt he had "disappeared" in the final years of his life. One reason he left the public eye was because "he could not exercise" due to issues with his knees.
Richard Simmons' Caretaker Reveals Heartbreaking Details of His Final Days
"He could not teach his class," she said, before remembering Richard telling her, "Teresa, my knees hurt."
In addition, the Emmy Award-winning star wasn't happy with his looks. "He thought he looked too old," she said. "He did not want anyone to see him. But Richard looked the same. OK, maybe a little older, like me, because we have to age. A little less hair. But he weighed the same, mostly. He was not as skinny."
Richard Simmons' Caretaker Reveals Heartbreaking Details of His Final Days
The day before he died, on his 76th birthday, Teresa said Richard's leg was hurting from a fall the previous day. She told him, "Let's go to the hospital. Maybe you broke your leg." Simmons protested, "No, Teresa. Not on my birthday. Why we don't wait and we do it in the morning."
"But in the morning it was too late," Reveles said.
Simmons died at his home in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 13, one day after his birthday. His cause of death is being investigated by the Department of Medical Examiner's Office.
Simmons' cause of death was listed as "deferred" by coroners, with "other significant conditions" as a factor. His case status was still "open." His place of death was listed as "residence."
"Officers responded to a death investigation," Los Angeles Police Department officials confirmed to Fox News Digital. "There is no foul play."
Reveles' account of Simmons' final days provides a glimpse into the complex and private life of the fitness icon, who touched the lives of millions with his energetic workouts and positive spirit.
