Richard Simmons’ mysterious final days are back in the spotlight, and now, someone who was there is finally speaking out. Simmons was found dead at his Los Angeles home on July 13, 2024, just one day after celebrating his 76th birthday. According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, Richard Simmons’ death was ruled accidental, tied to complications from recent falls, with heart disease listed as a contributing factor.
In the upcoming ABC special “The Mystery of Richard Simmons: A Diane Sawyer Special,” longtime housekeeper Teresa Reveles is sharing her account for the first time. “This is the first time I’ve spoken about it,” she said in a teaser for the documentary.
Reveles, who worked for Simmons for 35 years, was among the last people to see him alive, and the one who ultimately discovered him. “When I came here, then I saw him on the floor,” she said.
The special, led by Diane Sawyer, aims to take viewers “inside a mystery” while revisiting Simmons’ life, career, and sudden disappearance from the public eye. The documentary features interviews with those closest to him, including Rosie O’Donnell, who reflects on what made Simmons so unique. “I think he loved people back to health,” she said.
Simmons’ Rise, Retreat, And Silence Explored In New Diane Sawyer Special
Simmons rose to fame in the late 1970s after launching his Beverly Hills fitness studio, Slimmons, which became known for its inclusive approach to exercise. By the 1980s, he was a household name thanks to his wildly popular workout videos, including “Sweatin’ to the Oldies,” which helped define home fitness culture. But after decades in the spotlight, Simmons began stepping back in the 2000s, eventually disappearing from public life entirely around 2014.
The special addresses that abrupt shift, with Sawyer questioning the length of his absence and his manager, Michael Catalano, reflecting on how things have changed. “He felt the love,” Catalano said, to which Sawyer responds, “Until he didn’t.”
“Then it just got real quiet,” Catalano added.
New Richard Simmons Doc Promises To ‘Pull Back The Curtain’ On His Life, Legacy, And Final Years
The documentary also explores Simmons’ upbringing, his rise to fame, and the emotional connection he built with fans over decades. It teases new revelations, including a long-awaited phone call after years of silence and intimate moments with his family, including his brother Lenny Simmons. The special ultimately aims to “pull back the curtain” on the man behind the persona, one who built a “joyful revolution” in fitness and left behind a lasting cultural impact.
And in true Simmons fashion, his humor remains part of the story. “Richard always said, ‘I don’t care if they’re laughing with me or at me. I just want them to be laughing,’” Catalano recalled. Even in his final chapter, Simmons’ legacy continues to spark curiosity, emotion, and conversation.
Diane Sawyer Goes Behind The Scenes
The trailer for the special was released to PEOPLE on Friday and opens with archival footage of Simmons himself, offering a glimpse into the mindset that made him a household name. “We’re all waiting for support from others, and sometimes we don’t get it,” he said. “That’s why God made me.”
From there, the special reflects on his early life, with a narrator asking, “How did a little boy who had to run from bullies defy the odds and become a megastar? There was only one Richard Simmons.” But the tone quickly shifts, turning to one of the biggest questions surrounding his legacy. “Then, all of a sudden, one day, he disappeared for a decade.”
Richard Simmons’ Decade-Long Disappearance Still Raises Questions
For those unaware, Simmons quietly stepped away from the public eye around 2014. He stopped teaching, canceled appearances, and largely cut off communication with fans, sparking widespread concern and speculation.
For years, his absence fueled rumors about his health, well-being, and personal life, especially as someone who had built his career on connection and accessibility. Those closest to him maintained that he simply wanted privacy, but the silence only deepened the mystery.
“The Mystery of Richard Simmons: A Diane Sawyer Special” premieres May 12 on ABC, with streaming available on Disney+ and Hulu beginning May 13.