Two weeks after fitness icon Richard Simmons died at the age of 76, someone who has spent nearly four decades living with him is speaking out about his final days. In a new interview with People, housekeeper Teresa Reveles is opening up about what Richard was like behind closed doors, and her experience grieving the loss of her longtime boss and friend after she was the one to discover him after he died on July 13, 2024.
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Talking to People, Teresa said that she lived and worked for Richard for 35 years, going all the way back to August 1986. She was assigned to work for him through an agency, and the rest is history.
She said she showed up to his house with just a small suitcase, telling him that it was just a trial period so he could see if he liked her. But at that point, he was already convinced things would work out.
Richard told her, "Teresa, come in, you are never going to leave. We are going to be together until I die."
He was right, and over the years, the two lived, exercised, and even traveled together.
"I can’t stop crying. I still can’t believe what happened," she said, adding, "I want to celebrate Richard. He died happy."
Two days before Richard died, Teresa said he fell and hurt his leg, but refused to go to the hospital because it was his birthday. He said he'd go the following day, but according to Teresa, "in the morning it was too late."
Teresa was the one who found Richard's body , and she said he looked "peaceful" with both of his hands in fists.
"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," she said.
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She went on to say that Richard was always traveling until he retired from public life in 2014, at which point he realized his body could no longer exercise the way he wanted to.
"He thought he looked too old," she said. "He did not want anyone to see him. But Richard looked the same. Okay, 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."
Teresa said that Richard became "like a father" to her.
"He loved me before I loved him. He gave me beautiful jewelry. Every time he gave me something, in the early years, I was thinking, 'He doesn't know me! Why did he do this? Why did he do that?'" she said.
Just before he died, he gave Teresa what would be his final gift: a diamond pin in honor of their 36 years together, though their anniversary isn't until August 9.
Why did he give it to her early? "Because I want to do it now. You know, Teresa, almost doesn’t count."
Richard's family has also shared their appreciation for Teresa being there for him over the years.
His brother, Lenny, told People, "Teresa was extremely loyal and trustworthy. She loved my brother, and he loved her. We are blessed to have Teresa in our lives."
With Richard gone, Teresa is planning to move to her home in Mexico, and when she dies, she will be buried in a plot that Richard bought for her, next to his.
"Everything happened the way he wanted. He wanted to die first, he went first," she said. "And you know what? I'm very happy because Richard was really, very happy. He died very happy."
