The family of fitness icon Richard Simmons is locked in a legal dispute with his longtime housekeeper, Teresa Reveles, over claims she was pressured into relinquishing her role as co-trustee of Simmons’ estate. Reveles, who had worked for Simmons for nearly 40 years, filed a petition this week, alleging that Simmons’ brother, Lenny, and his wife, Cathy, misled her into stepping down as co-trustee while she was grieving Simmons’ passing.
Simmons, who passed away on July 13, 2024, after suffering a fall in his Los Angeles home, left behind an estate that has now become the center of a contentious legal battle. Reveles claims she was not fully informed of the implications when she relinquished her role and that she was vulnerable at the time due to her grief over Simmons’ death.
However, the Simmons family has publicly responded, accusing Reveles of greed and betrayal. In a statement released earlier this week, the family expressed their heartbreak, saying, “Richard would be heartbroken to learn of Teresa’s greed and insulted that she would diminish their three decades of supposed friendship in such a public way. Her actions threaten to harm Richard’s incredible legacy, which we are working hard to preserve.”
The family further emphasized that Simmons had ensured Reveles would be well cared for in his will and that her decision to step down as co-trustee did not affect her status as a beneficiary. They claim her allegations are “completely and demonstrably false” and accuse her of attempting to charge the estate for living expenses despite having her own residence.
Reveles, who discovered Simmons’ body the morning after he fell in the bathroom on his 76th birthday, has requested that she be reinstated as co-trustee. She has also asked the court to block Simmons’ brother from selling any of the late fitness guru’s possessions or profiting from his image until the matter is resolved.
Simmons, a beloved figure who promoted health and fitness through studios, books, and weight loss programs, withdrew from public life over the past decade, sparking speculation about his well-being. His sudden passing has left his estate in turmoil, with a court battle looming over the future of his legacy.
