Richard Simmons’ family has paid tribute to the late fitness guru in a heartwarming way.
At a celebration of the “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” star’s life in New Orleans on Saturday, his younger brother Renee Simmons revealed a “little secret” about his late brother’s burial.
In a video obtained by TMZ, Renee told Fox News Digital that Richard died from complications from a recent fall and heart disease, but explained why the family decided to bury him: “Not too many people… I don’t know,” he said.
Richard Simmons’ older brother, fitness icon, says he died from ‘recent fall and heart disease’
Richard Simmons was found dead on July 13th. (Scott Roth/FilmMagic)
“It’s like the beautiful thing that Clark Kent wore, which is a tank top and shorts under his clothes,” he said, referring to Richard’s iconic uniform of tank tops and sweatpants.
“Why?” Lenny added. “That’s because we think God has other plans for him, and to help the saints and angels get in shape, the regular costumes we know and love.” Because I want to make sure he’s wearing it.
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“So what I’m saying here is that even though he’s not here, and I know he’s here tonight and alive and well, Richard Simmons will be sweating with the Hollies forever. That’s it,” he concluded. “Thank you so much for coming.”
Richard’s younger brother Lenny reveals a ‘little secret’ about his late brother’s burial (Harry Langdon/Getty Images)
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The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office announced in August that the fitness instructor and TV personality died from blunt force trauma. The 76-year-old’s cause of death was ruled an accident.
Cardiovascular arteriosclerosis has been cited as a contributing factor.
The star suffered a fall 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 alerted and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The deputy medical examiner completed the examination at the department’s Forensic Center on July 14, and the cause of Simmons’ death was determined on August 22, according to the statement.
Teresa Reveles, Simmons’ longtime caregiver, found him in his bedroom the day he died.
Richard was known for his eccentric personality and became a mainstay in the fitness industry in the 1980s. (Harry Langdon/Getty Images)
“When I saw him, he seemed peaceful,” Reveles told People magazine, noting that his hands were balled into fists.
“So we knew it was a heart attack.”
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She added: “I had a heart attack a few years ago and it happened to my hand as well.”
The day before his death, Revels said Simmons had fallen the day before and injured his leg. Mr. Simmons passed away on July 12, the day after his birthday.
She said to him, “Let’s go to the hospital. You might have broken your leg.” Simmons rhino. “No, Teresa, it’s not my birthday. Why do you do it in the morning instead of waiting?”
“But by the morning it was too late,” Revels said.
The cause of Simmons’ death has been “deferred” by the coroner, who cited “other significant medical conditions” as contributing factors. (Rodrigo Vaz/Getty Images)
A Los Angeles Police Department official confirmed to Fox News Digital that there was “no illegal activity.”
Simmons was buried five days after his death. Simmons family spokesman Tom Oetzi said in a statement that Simmons was surrounded by “only family and close friends.”
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Fox News Digital’s Stephanie Nolasco, Tracy Wright and Larry Fink contributed to this report.
