Richard Simmons' brother shares 'little secret' about late fitness guru's grave: 'Not many people know'
Richard Simmons The family paid tribute to the late fitness guru in a heartfelt way.
During a celebration of the “Sweatin' to the Oldies” star's life in New Orleans on Saturday, his brother Lenny Simmons revealed a “little secret” about his late brother's burial.
In a video obtained by TMZ, Lenny — who previously told Fox News Digital that Richard died of complications from a recent fall and heart disease — revealed that “not a lot of people know” what the family chose to bury the star in.
Richard Simmons' brother says fitness icon died of 'recent collapse, heart attack'
“Just like Clark Kent under the nice things he wore, his clothes, [Richard] wearing a tank top and shorts,” he said, referring to Richard's iconic uniform of tank top and sweat shorts.
“Why, you ask?” Lenny added. “Because we think that God has another plan for him, and we want to make sure that he stays in his normal clothes that we all know and love to help shape the saints and angels.”
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“So I'm here to tell you that even though he's not here and I know he's here tonight, Richard Simmons will forever be sweating with Hollis,” he concluded. “Thank you very much for coming.”
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The fitness instructor and TV icon died of blunt force trauma, Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office was announced in August. The 76-year-old's manner of death was ruled an accident.
Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease was listed as a contributing factor.
The star suffered a collapse on July 11 and spent the next day in bed. On the morning of July 13, Simmons was found unresponsive on her bedroom floor. Authorities were called, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the statement, the deputy medical examiner completed their examination on July 14 at the department's Forensic Science Center. Simmons' cause of death Was certified on 22 August.
Simmons' longtime caregiver, Teresa Revales, found him in his bedroom the day he died.
“When I saw him, he looked calm,” Rivales told People magazine, his hands clenched into fists.
“So I am I know it was a heart attack.”
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He added, “I had a heart attack a few years ago, and so did my hand.”
The day before his death, Revelles said Simmons had hurt his leg after falling the day before. Simmons died on July 12, one day after his birthday.
He told her, “Let's go to the hospital. You might have broken your leg.” Simmons Sci. “No, Teresa, not on my birthday. Why? [don’t we] Wait, and we do it in the morning?”
“But in the morning, it's too late,” Revelles said.
Los Angeles Police Department officials confirmed to Fox News Digital that “there was no foul play.”
Simmons was laid to rest five days after his death. Simmons family spokesman Tom Etsey said in a statement that he was “surrounded only by family and closest friends.”
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Fox News Digital's Stephanie Nolasco, Tracy Wright and Larry Fink contributed to this report.