Richard Simmons’ mysterious final days are back within the highlight, and now, someone who was there may be finally speaking out. Simmons was found dead at his Los Angeles home on July 13, 2024, just in the future after celebrating his 76th birthday. Based on 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.
Within the upcoming ABC special “The Mystery of Richard Simmons: A Diane Sawyer Special,” longtime housekeeper Teresa Reveles is sharing her account for the primary time. “That is the primary 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 many last people to see him alive, and the one who ultimately discovered him. “Once I got here here, then I saw him on the ground,” she said.
The special, led by Diane Sawyer, goals to take viewers “inside a mystery” while revisiting Simmons’ life, profession, and sudden disappearance from the general public eye. The documentary features interviews with those closest to him, including Rosie O’Donnell, who reflects on what made Simmons so unique. “I believe he loved people back to health,” she said.
Simmons’ Rise, Retreat, And Silence Explored In Latest Diane Sawyer Special
Simmons rose to fame within the late Seventies after launching his Beverly Hills fitness studio, Slimmons, which became known for its inclusive approach to exercise. By the Eighties, he was a household name because of his wildly popular workout videos, including “Sweatin’ to the Oldies,” which helped define home fitness culture. But after a long time within the highlight, Simmons began stepping back within 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 modified. “He felt the love,” Catalano said, to which Sawyer responds, “Until he didn’t.”
“Then it just got real quiet,” Catalano added.
Latest Richard Simmons Doc Guarantees 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 a long time. It teases latest revelations, including a long-awaited phone call after years of silence and intimate moments together with his family, including his brother Lenny Simmons. The special ultimately goals to “pull back the curtain” on the person behind the persona, one who built a “joyful revolution” in fitness and left behind an enduring cultural impact.
And in true Simmons fashion, his humor stays a part of the story. “Richard at all times said, ‘I don’t care in the event that 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 youth, with a narrator asking, “How did a bit boy who needed to run from bullies defy the percentages and turn into a megastar? There was just one Richard Simmons.” However the tone quickly shifts, turning to considered one of the largest questions surrounding his legacy. “Then, abruptly, in the future, he disappeared for a decade.”
Richard Simmons’ Decade-Long Disappearance Still Raises Questions
For those unaware, Simmons quietly stepped away from the general 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 private life, especially as someone who had built his profession on connection and accessibility. Those closest to him maintained that he simply wanted privacy, however 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 starting May 13.