Richard Simmons’ housekeeper says his brother misled her as she seeks to be named co-trustee of late star’s estate

Teresa Reveles, Richard Simmons’ housekeeper of nearly 40 years, has asked a Southern California court to appoint her co-trustee of his estate, alleging that Simmons’ brother misled her after his death.

Teresa Reveles filed the petition on Wednesday, more than two months after she found the star dead at age 76 in his Los Angeles home on July 13. TMZ reported after reviewing court documents in the case.

Reveles told the court she encountered Richard’s brother, Leonard Simmons, and his wife Cathy during a viewing of the late fitness expert’s body.

According to Reveles, she was “at her most vulnerable” at the time and Leonard and his wife took her to an attorney’s office, where she signed papers stating that she would not become conservator of Simmons’ estate.

Reveles told the court that Leonard and his wife presented her with the documents under the understanding that her inheritance would be voided if she did not sign the documents, the outlet reported.

Reveles said she did not understand what was in the documents at the time and was never explicitly informed or advised on the matter.

She said she has since consulted with an attorney and believes she is the most qualified person to serve as co-trustee, a role the late exercise guru specifically wanted for her, the outlet reported.

Reveles’ legal team said they have not received an answer as to why Leonard will not let her serve as co-trustee.

Reveles told the court she wanted to be appointed as co-trustee and asked the court to prohibit Leonard from selling any of Richard’s assets or property or from capitalizing on his image in commercial ventures until the matter is resolved by the court.

Authorities said Simmons died from complications following a fall in the bathroom the night before his death, and that heart disease also played a role.

Simmons had fallen in the bathroom of his home on Friday, July 12 (his 76th birthday). Reveles had tried to persuade him to seek immediate medical attention, but he refused because it was his birthday.

Simmons said he didn’t want to go anywhere and told her he might go on July 13. Reveles helped him safely back to his bedroom, where she found him on the floor around 10 a.m. the next morning, the outlet reported.

Simmons acknowledged his legion of adoring fans in a moving interview he gave People on July 11, just two days before his death.

At the end of the interview, the fitness impresario told the media that he was “missed” for keeping a low profile for the past decade, and was asked if he understood why fans loved him so much.

“I know people miss me,” Simmons told the outlet. “And you know what? I miss them, too. But I can reach them through phone calls … and through emails.”

Simmons also admitted in his last interview that he hid his appearance when he appeared in public.

“I do go out sometimes,” Simmons said. “But I’m in disguise.”

According to the outlet, the interview with Simmons just before his death was his first since 2014, the year he stopped making public appearances.

The New Orleans star has been a regular on television to promote his fitness industry endeavors, including studios, books, weight-loss programs and videos. He has been the center of speculation over the past decade after he stopped appearing in public, leading to speculation about his safety and well-being.

Sources close to the late celebrity told the media that the reason he withdrew from the public eye was a knee surgery he had undergone, and a second surgery on the knee that he refused to undergo.

Simmons told People on Thursday that he also had a skin cancer scare after undergoing surgery to have it removed earlier this year: “Basal cell carcinoma, it was scary. But it never came back.”

Simmons told the newspaper that he aims to spread optimism and positivity among people facing similar health issues.

“So many people have cancer,” Simmons said. “I call them, I sing to them, ‘You’re going to get through this. You just have to believe that.'”

Simmons told the newspaper that he has been collaborating on a musical with composer Patrick Leonard in recent months.

“I wrote 14 songs for a Broadway show,” he said. “And I work with a great guy — Patrick Leonard. I don’t know if you know his name, but he’s written music for Madonna, Elton John. He’s one of the greatest.

“And we talk a couple times a week. I write the lyrics and he writes the music. The whole show is about my life – from selling chocolates in a candy store in New Orleans when I was a kid, to when I decided to retire.”

Simmons gradually returned to public view, communicating with his fans earlier this year via X/Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, and via email.

He told People Thursday: “Today is a beautiful day. But there’s really nothing else. I got up this morning. I said my prayers, I counted my blessings and then I went to work.

“You know? And writing messages, answering emails — and if the email is really extreme, I’ll ask for their numbers and call them. I feel great because I’m helping people.”

In his last social media post, he quoted a line from the 1968 musical comedy Funny Girl.

Simmons was asked about his low-key interactions with his fans, and he told the outlet that he measured his success by the number of people he had helped and inspired.

“Well, when I decided to retire, it was because my body was telling me to retire,” Simmons said. “I spent time reflecting on my life. All the books I’ve written, the videos. I never thought, ‘Oh look what I’ve done.’ I thought, ‘Oh, look how many people I’ve helped.'”