Richard Simmons reportedly distanced himself from his former manager before his unexpected death on July 13, 2024. His housekeeper, Teresa Reveles Muro, seeks reinstatement as a co-trustee, asserting she was coerced into resigning by his family, particularly his brother Leonard. Muro claims Leonard collaborated with Simmons’ estranged manager to exploit his legacy and assets. Simmons had previously rejected a documentary proposal from the manager and expressed strong disdain in emails, revealing his desire for no association with him. Muro’s lawsuit faced criticism from the Simmons family, who emphasize her substantial inheritance from his will. Simmons’ death, linked to injuries from a fall, was deemed accidental.
Richard Simmons had distanced himself from his former manager prior to his unexpected passing.
The fitness icon’s housekeeper, Teresa Reveles Muro, has filed a petition seeking to be reinstated as co-trustee of his estate.
Muro claims that she was coerced into relinquishing this role by members of the Simmons family, particularly his brother Leonard, while she was still mourning his loss.
In her petition, Muro stated: ‘Richard Simmons would be turning in his grave if he knew what his brother Leonard has been doing since his tragic passing on July 13, 2024.’ She accused Leonard of collaborating with Simmons’ estranged manager to « exploit Richard’s assets and legacy. »
Muro also asserted that Simmons had declined a proposal from his former manager, Catalano, to create a documentary about his life prior to his death.
Michele Matz, who served as Simmons’ assistant from 2001 until his death, provided a declaration for Muro that included emails demonstrating Simmons’ strong disdain for Catalano.
One such email stated: ‘I don’t want a check from him. I don’t want him to create a documentary on me, and I don’t want to hear his name again. He has destroyed my life. I’m sure he’ll do this without my consent. I want nothing from him.’
‘Don’t bother writing me back; nothing you say will ease my feelings. Do not accept that check. I am so upset I can hardly breathe.’
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In another email to his accountant about Catalano in 2021, Simmons expressed his disdain, stating he would ‘rather die’ than collaborate on another project with his estranged manager. He continued: ‘He owes me money for projects he has sold, and we will never see a dime… I’ve been miserable about this for far too long, but it falls on deaf ears. He has won, and I have lost. I will never get over this. I won’t ask you about it again.’
The following year, Simmons sent another email declaring: ‘I want [Catalano] to never profit off of me again. He has been making money for all these years. I am utterly exhausted discussing this… I am so unhappy right now that you need to stop [Catalano] from earning money off me immediately. This could give me a heart attack.’
Tom Estey, a representative for the Simmons family, criticized Muro’s lawsuit, stating: ‘Richard’s message was always one of joy and positivity.
‘He would be devastated to know of Teresa’s greed and would feel insulted that she would publicly undermine their three decades of friendship.’
Estey asserted that Muro is a ‘notable beneficiary of his will,’ emphasizing: ‘She made an informed choice to reject serving as co-trustee of the estate, which does not impact her status as a beneficiary at all.’
Simmons passed away on July 13, just a day after celebrating his 76th birthday. According to the coroner’s report, the television star had numerous bruises on his head, chest, elbows, hands, upper left thigh, buttocks, lower legs, and feet.
Additionally, the autopsy indicated a ‘palpable fracture’ of his left femur.
The cause of Simmons’ death was determined to be accidental, attributed to the injuries he sustained after a fall two days prior.