On the day he passed away, Richard Simmons was discovered in his bedroom by his caretaker, Teresa Reveles.
Having dedicated nearly forty years to working with Simmons, Reveles is still in mourning for her friend.
“I can’t stop crying. I still can’t believe what happened,” she shared with People magazine.
RICHARD SIMMONS’ CAUSE OF DEATH UNDER INVESTIGATION, LAPD STATES ‘NO FOUL PLAY’ SUSPECTED
Richard Simmons’ longtime caretaker believes he passed away due to a “heart attack.” (Getty Images)
“When I found him, he seemed peaceful,” Reveles remarked, noting his hands were clenched into fists. “That’s why I believe it was a heart attack.”
She mentioned, “I suffered a heart attack a few years back, and my hands did the same.”
Reveles clarified that she was not his housekeeper but managed his home and meal preparations, saying, “His housekeeper is someone else; she’s been here for 40 years.”
“I can’t stop crying. I still can’t believe what happened.”
RICHARD SIMMONS ONLY SAW ‘BEAUTIFUL BRIGHT RAINBOWS’ IN THE FINAL WEEKS PRIOR TO HIS DEATH
Reveles began her career with Simmons in 1986 through an agency, recalling Richard asking, “Where is your big suitcase?”
Reveles began working with Simmons in 1986, just before his “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” popularity surged. (Getty Images)
Teresa was cautious about overpacking, worried that Simmons wouldn’t enjoy her cooking. She reminisced about Simmons saying, “Teresa, come in; you are never going to leave. We will be together until I die.”
HOLLYWOOD STARS WHO PASSED AWAY IN 2024: PHOTOS
Reveles reflected, “And you know what? His dream came true. He somehow knew.”
Even though she deeply misses her friend, Reveles is determined to honor his legacy. “I want to celebrate Richard. He passed on happy,” she stated. They shared a close companionship, living, traveling, and dining together.
“Whenever I was in the kitchen and entered the living room, he would hide and jump out, startling me. I’d scream, ‘Richard, you nearly scared me to death!'” she recalled. He would laugh, saying, ‘Teresa, almost doesn’t count.’
Richard Simmons died on July 13. The LAPD is investigating, indicating no foul play is suspected. (Getty Images)
Reveles conveyed that Simmons was aware that his followers believed he had “disappeared” in his final years. One reason he stepped away from the public was due to his knee problems that prevented him from exercising.
“He couldn’t lead his class,” she noted, recalling Richard’s statement, “Teresa, my knees hurt.”
Additionally, the Emmy Award-winning star was dissatisfied with his appearance.
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
“He felt he looked too old,” she explained. “He didn’t want anyone to see him. But Richard looked much the same. Sure, perhaps a little older, like me, because we all age. Just a bit less hair. Other than that, he mostly weighed the same. He wasn’t as thin.”
Richard Simmons’ team made a final post on social media following the beloved fitness coach’s passing. (Richard Simmons/Facebook)
The day prior to his passing, which was also his 76th birthday, Reveles mentioned that Richard’s leg was in pain due to a previous fall.
She suggested, “Let’s visit the hospital. You might have broken your leg.” Simmons responded, “No, Teresa. Not on my birthday. Let’s wait and go tomorrow.”
“But by the morning, it was too late,” Reveles stated.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
Simmons passed away at his Los Angeles home on July 13, just one day after his birthday. He was 76 years old, and the Department of Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating the cause of death.
Simmons’ cause of death has been listed as “deferred” by the coroner’s office, considering “other significant conditions” as contributing factors. (Rodrigo Vaz/Getty Images)
“Officers were dispatched to investigate a death,” officials from the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to Fox News Digital. “No foul play is suspected.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
His official cause of death remains deferred, indicating that further investigation and testing are necessary for a definitive explanation.
“Other significant conditions” were noted as contributing factors, and Simmons’ case status is classified as “open.” He passed away at his residence.
