Latest news with #TeresaReveles
Fox News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Richard Simmons' longtime housekeeper denies ‘kidnapping' him, says he was happy in final years
Richard Simmons' longtime housekeeper and companion Teresa Reveles is speaking out about the late fitness guru's final years. In a candid conversation – her first broadcast interview – Reveles told the "Today" show about the unique nature of their relationship, and claimed that he was incredibly happy in the years before his death on July 13, 2024. She began working for Simmons decades ago, in 1988, and while some rumors have claimed that she was to blame for his disappearance from the spotlight in his later years, she denied it. When host Liz Kreutz asked about speculation that she'd "kidnapped" him, she laughed and replied, "No, I think he kidnapped me!" While she said their relationship wasn't sexual, she did admit they were very close. "He (fell) in love with me right away, that he says, 'No, you're never going to leave me,'" she explained. She said that to her, he was "like a brother … like my father, my friend, my boyfriend, my everything." Reveles insisted that she and Simmons weren't romantic partners, and said that if anyone was confused by the unconventional relationship she shared with him, "It's their problem. We were very happy, and the last ten years was the most happy years." When asked about Simmons' sexual orientation, which he never publicly disclosed, she refused to answer, but when she was asked if she ever knew about any romantic partners he had, she said, "Me. He never love anybody like me." She added, "Well, he wasn't my lover, not sexually, but he kissed me all the time." As for how secluded Simmons became in the years leading up to his death, she said, "He was not happy that he was getting old, OK? He says, 'No, I want people to remember me the way I was.' You know … full of life." Reveles was the one who found Simmons after he died. She said that was a "crazy, sad day," but that he had been "very, very happy." "I never saw Richard, in 36 years, unhappy, or mean, or upset," she said. In a message to Fox News Digital, Tom Estey, Simmons' longtime friend, said, "Let's CELEBRATE Richard - the human being. It's nearly his Birthday. I worked with him for 30 plus years, and more importantly, we were close friends even longer. I choose to celebrate these milestones." On July 11, 2024, Simmons suffered a fall and spent the following day in bed. On the morning of July 13, Simmons was found unresponsive on his bedroom floor. Authorities were called, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The fitness instructor and TV icon died as a result of blunt traumatic injuries, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office announced two months later. The 76-year-old's manner of death was ruled as an accident. Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular was listed as a contributing factor. At the time, Reveles told People, "When I saw him, he looked peaceful." She said that when she found him, his hands were balled into fists, and explained, "That's why I know it was a heart attack. I had a heart attack a few years ago, and my hands did the same." The day before he died, Reveles said Simmons' leg was hurting from a fall the previous day. Simmons passed away one day after his birthday, July 12. She told him, "Let's go to the hospital. Maybe you broke your leg." Simmons protested, "No, Teresa, not on my birthday. Why [don't we] wait, and we do it in the morning?" "But in the morning, it was too late," Reveles said. Los Angeles Police Department officials confirmed to Fox News Digital at the time that there was "no foul play" suspected in his death.
New York Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Richard Simmons' longtime housekeeper denies ‘kidnapping' him, says he was happy in final years
Richard Simmons' longtime housekeeper and companion Teresa Reveles is speaking out about the late fitness guru's final years. In a candid conversation – her first broadcast interview – Reveles told the 'Today' show about the unique nature of their relationship, and claimed that he was incredibly happy in the years before his death on July 13, 2024. She began working for Simmons decades ago, in 1988, and while some rumors have claimed that she was to blame for his disappearance from the spotlight in his later years, she denied it. When host Liz Kreutz asked about speculation that she'd 'kidnapped' him, she laughed and replied, 'No, I think he kidnapped me!' While she said their relationship wasn't sexual, she did admit they were very close. 'He (fell) in love with me right away, that he says, 'No, you're never going to leave me,'' she explained. She said that to her, he was 'like a brother … like my father, my friend, my boyfriend, my everything.' 5 Richard Simmons with his longtime housekeeper and companion Teresa Reveles in 2017. Facebook / Teresa Reveles Reveles insisted that she and Simmons weren't romantic partners, and said that if anyone was confused by the unconventional relationship she shared with him, 'It's their problem. We were very happy, and the last ten years was the most happy years.' When asked about Simmons' sexual orientation, which he never publicly disclosed, she refused to answer, but when she was asked if she ever knew about any romantic partners he had, she said, 'Me. He never love anybody like me.' She added, 'Well, he wasn't my lover, not sexually, but he kissed me all the time.' 5 Richard Simmons in 2017. He died on July 13, 2024 at age 76. Richard Simmons/Facebook 5 Teresa Reveles on a boat during a trip in 2018. Facebook / Teresa Reveles As for how secluded Simmons became in the years leading up to his death, she said, 'He was not happy that he was getting old, OK? He says, 'No, I want people to remember me the way I was.' You know … full of life.' Reveles was the one who found Simmons after he died. She said that was a 'crazy, sad day,' but that he had been 'very, very happy.' 'I never saw Richard, in 36 years, unhappy, or mean, or upset,' she said. In a message to Fox News Digital, Tom Estey, Simmons' longtime friend, said, 'Let's CELEBRATE Richard – the human being. It's nearly his Birthday. I worked with him for 30 plus years, and more importantly, we were close friends even longer. I choose to celebrate these milestones.' On July 11, 2024, Simmons suffered a fall and spent the following day in bed. On the morning of July 13, Simmons was found unresponsive on his bedroom floor. Authorities were called, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The fitness instructor and TV icon died as a result of blunt traumatic injuries, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office announced two months later. The 76-year-old's manner of death was ruled as an accident. Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular was listed as a contributing factor. At the time, Reveles told People, 'When I saw him, he looked peaceful.' 5 Richard Simmons speaks to an audience before a summer fashion show at Grand Central Terminal in New York City on June 2, 2006. AP 5 Richard Simmons poses for a portrait in Los Angeles in 1992. Getty Images She said that when she found him, his hands were balled into fists, and explained, 'That's why I know it was a heart attack. I had a heart attack a few years ago, and my hands did the same.' The day before he died, Reveles said Simmons' leg was hurting from a fall the previous day. Simmons passed away one day after his birthday, July 12. She told him, 'Let's go to the hospital. Maybe you broke your leg.' Simmons protested, 'No, Teresa, not on my birthday. Why [don't we] wait, and we do it in the morning?' 'But in the morning, it was too late,' Reveles said. Los Angeles Police Department officials confirmed to Fox News Digital at the time that there was 'no foul play' suspected in his death. Fox News Digital's Stephanie Nolasco and Tracy Wright contributed to this report.
Fox News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Richard Simmons' longtime housekeeper denies ‘kidnapping' him, says he was happy in final years
Richard Simmons' longtime housekeeper and companion Teresa Reveles is speaking out about the late fitness guru's final years. In a candid conversation – her first broadcast interview – Reveles told the "Today" show about the unique nature of their relationship, and claimed that he was incredibly happy in the years before his death on July 13, 2024. She began working for Simmons decades ago, in 1988, and while some rumors have claimed that she was to blame for his disappearance from the spotlight in his later years, she denied it. When host Liz Kreutz asked about speculation that she'd "kidnapped" him, she laughed and replied, "No, I think he kidnapped me!" While she said their relationship wasn't sexual, she did admit they were very close. "He (fell) in love with me right away, that he says, 'No, you're never going to leave me,'" she explained. She said that to her, he was "like a brother … like my father, my friend, my boyfriend, my everything." Reveles insisted that she and Simmons weren't romantic partners, and said that if anyone was confused by the unconventional relationship she shared with him, "It's their problem. We were very happy, and the last ten years was the most happy years." When asked about Simmons' sexual orientation, which he never publicly disclosed, she refused to answer, but when she was asked if she ever knew about any romantic partners he had, she said, "Me. He never love anybody like me." She added, "Well, he wasn't my lover, not sexually, but he kissed me all the time." As for how secluded Simmons became in the years leading up to his death, she said, "He was not happy that he was getting old, OK? He says, 'No, I want people to remember me the way I was.' You know … full of life." Reveles was the one who found Simmons after he died. She said that was a "crazy, sad day," but that he had been "very, very happy." "I never saw Richard, in 36 years, unhappy, or mean, or upset," she said. In a message to Fox News Digital, Tom Estey, Simmons' longtime friend, said, "Let's CELEBRATE Richard - the human being. It's nearly his Birthday. I worked with him for 30 plus years, and more importantly, we were close friends even longer. I choose to celebrate these milestones." On July 11, 2024, Simmons suffered a fall and spent the following day in bed. On the morning of July 13, Simmons was found unresponsive on his bedroom floor. Authorities were called, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The fitness instructor and TV icon died as a result of blunt traumatic injuries, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office announced two months later. The 76-year-old's manner of death was ruled as an accident. Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular was listed as a contributing factor. At the time, Reveles told People, "When I saw him, he looked peaceful." She said that when she found him, his hands were balled into fists, and explained, "That's why I know it was a heart attack. I had a heart attack a few years ago, and my hands did the same." The day before he died, Reveles said Simmons' leg was hurting from a fall the previous day. Simmons passed away one day after his birthday, July 12. She told him, "Let's go to the hospital. Maybe you broke your leg." Simmons protested, "No, Teresa, not on my birthday. Why [don't we] wait, and we do it in the morning?" "But in the morning, it was too late," Reveles said. Los Angeles Police Department officials confirmed to Fox News Digital at the time that there was "no foul play" suspected in his death.
Daily Mail
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Richard Simmons home hits the market for eye-watering sum nearly a year after he died at the home at age 76
The palatial Hollywood Hills mansion owned by the late Richard Simmons is now on the market for nearly $7,000,000. The gated, colonial-style home located above the Sunset Strip has been listed for $6,999,999. Simmons died at the home last year, just one day after celebrating his 76th birthday. The reclusive fitness guru resided at the home with his devoted friend and house manager, Teresa Reveles, and abruptly stopped making public appearances in 2014, sparking concern from fans. According to the home's listing, which is being held by John A. Lucy of Keller Williams Hollywood Hills, the property was built in 1937 and boasts an array of amenities, including a maid's suite, pool, pool house, updated kitchen, music room, and terraced side yard. Simmons was found in his home by his longtime housekeeper on July 13, 2024 - just one day after celebrating his 76th birthday. A cause of death was revealed back in August, with the Los Angeles Coroner's office informing Simmons' brother Lenny that the death had been 'accidental due to complications from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing factor.' 'The toxicology report was negative other than medication Richard had been prescribed,' family spokesperson Tom Estey told People. 'The Family wishes to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support during this time of great loss.' Lenny had previously told People that he didn't want 'people to be sad about my brother,' but rather 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,' Lenny said. Simmons had fallen in the bathroom of his home on Friday, July 12 - which marked his 76th birthday - and Reveles had attempted to persuade him to seek immediate medical help, but he declined because it was his birthday, TMZ previously reported. Simmons said he didn't want to go anywhere, informing her that he might go on July 13. Reveles helped him safely get back to his bedroom, where she found him unresponsive the following morning on the floor at around 10 a.m., according to the outlet. He was later pronounced dead on the scene. 'When I saw him, he looked peaceful,' she told People last July of finding Simmons. She noted his hands were balled into fists, prompting her to believe he died of a heart attack. 'That's why I know it was a heart attack. I had a heart attack a few years ago, and my hands did the same.' Simmons was a legendary fitness guru who grew up in the French quarter of New Orleans before settling in California. He weighed 268 pounds when he graduated from high school, his website said. His own story of struggling with weight loss, where he tried everything from fad diets to laxatives before settling on exercise and better lifestyle choices, inspired millions to do the same. Simmons became a master of many media forms, sharing his hard-won weight-loss tips as host of the Emmy-winning daytime 'Richard Simmons Show' and author of best-selling books and the diet plan Deal-A-Meal. He also opened exercise studios and starred in exercise videos, including the wildly successful 'Sweatin' to the Oldies' line, which became a cultural phenomenon. Simmons' daytime show was seen on 200 stations in America, as well as in Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Japan and South America. His first book, 'Never Say Diet', was a smash best-seller. He was known to counsel the severely obese, including Rosalie Bradford, who held records for being the world's heaviest woman, and Michael Hebranko, who credited Simmons for helping him lose 700 pounds. After winning a legion of fans with his infectious enthusiasm and positivity, Simmons stepped away from the limelight in 2014. TMZ founder Harvey Levin later said the fitness icon doesn't spend all his time at his home. 'We found out he likes going to the beach, he'll go shopping, he'll just go out and get air,' he told Good Day in 2022. In 2022, Simmons' spokesperson Tom Estey provided a statement to the New York Post saying that he was 'happy, healthy and living the life he has chosen to live.'
