Richard Simmons was laid to rest in a unique and fitting manner. The late fitness icon's brother, Lenny Simmons, disclosed that Richard was buried wearing his workout attire beneath his regular clothing. Lenny shared this "little secret" during Richard's celebration of life at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans on Saturday, a fact that "not too many people know."
"Just like Clark Kent underneath his beautiful things that he was wearing, his clothing, [Richard] is wearing a tank top and shorts," Lenny explained, according to People. "Why, you ask? Because we think that God has another plan for him, and we want to make sure that he was going to be in 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 say to you that even though he's not here and I know he's in spirit here tonight, Richard Simmons will forever be sweating with the Holies." Richard passed away at the age of 76 on July 13, following a fall on July 11, just one day before his birthday. Despite the fall, Simmons declined medical assistance, and his housekeeper, Teresa Reveles Muro, discovered him deceased the morning after he turned 76.
Lenny later confirmed that his brother's death was due to complications from recent falls and heart disease. Richard's private funeral was held in Los Angeles on July 19, attended by family and close friends. He was laid to rest at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary.
"I don't want people to be sad about my brother," Lenny said in an interview with People following Richard's death. "I want them to remember him for the genuine joy and love he brought to people's lives. He truly cared about people. He called, wrote, and emailed thousands of people throughout his career to offer help," he added.
Reveles Muro, who served as Richard's housekeeper for 35 years, is currently seeking to become a co-trustee of the late star's estate. Last month, she filed a legal petition in Los Angeles, alleging that Lenny and his wife, Cathy, took advantage of her during her most vulnerable state and persuaded her to decline the position of co-trustee in the days following Richard's death.
Reveles Muro aims to become a full co-trustee of Richard's estate alongside his brother, claiming she is best suited to fulfill Richard's final wishes. After Richard's funeral, Reveles Muro spoke with People, expressing her inability to stop crying and her disbelief at his passing. "I want to celebrate Richard. He died happy," she said. Lenny, while speaking to People, also praised Reveles Muro, describing her as "extremely loyal and trustworthy."
