Richard Simmons’ Brother Reveals Fitness Guru Was Buried in Workout Outfit Beneath Clothes During Celebration of Life Speech

Mar. 15, 2025

Richard Simmons in 1992.Photo:Harry Langdon/GettyRichard Simmonsis entering the afterlife with his signature look.During the late fitness guru’s celebration of life at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans on Saturday, Oct. 5,his brother Lenny Simmonsspoke about Richard’s workout style — and how Richard’s iconic tank top and shorts are still with him.Lenny told the crowd “a little secret” which he said “not too many people know.““Just like Clark Kent underneath his beautiful things that he was wearing, his clothing, [Richard] is wearing a tank top and shorts,” he said, alluding to what his brother was buried in.“Why, you ask?” Lenny continued. “Because we think that God has another plan for him, and we want to make sure that he was going to be in his normal costume that we all know and love to help the saints and the angels get into shape.“Richard Simmons in 1996.Evan Hurd/Sygma/Getty"So I’m here to say to you that even though he’s not here and I know he’s in spirit here tonight, Richard Simmons will forever be sweating with the Holies,” Lenny concluded his heartfelt speech. “Thank you so much for coming.“Pictures from the celebration of life show Richard’s fans in attendance, with some even sporting workout clothes similar to the late fitness guru’s signature style in his honor.Richard died on July 13, the day after his 76th birthday. PerTMZ, he had fallen in his home on July 11 and refused to seek medical help despitehis housekeeper’s insistence, wanting to spend his birthday at home.The next day, July 12, the housekeeper helped Richard to bed and later found him unresponsive on the morning of July 13. He was declared dead at the scene.TheLos Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Officedetermined that Richard died from blunt traumatic injuries. Heart disease was listed as a contributing factor.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.A small funeral was held for himon July 19, and he was buried at the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary in Los Angeles.Two days before his death, Richard gave what would be hisfinal interviewto PEOPLE, during which hewas asked what it meant to be called “a legend.“He replied, “I don’t hear it at all. I don’t hear the word legend. I don’t hear the word icon. I never lived a celebrity life. I never thought of myself as a celebrity.“People don’t know this, I’m really a shy person and a little bit of an introvert,” Richard continued. “But when that curtain goes up, that’s a different story. I’m there to make people happy.“Richard Simmons.Getty"But the accolades I get from emails. I mean, today most probably, we’ll answer over 100 emails. And they’ll say, ‘I’m your No. 1 fan,’ " Richard told PEOPLE.He continued, “And I just write back, and I say, you know, ‘Don’t say that because I’m a human being just like you. And I know that you do good things, too.’ "

Richard Simmons in 1992.Photo:Harry Langdon/Getty

Harry Langdon/Getty

Richard Simmonsis entering the afterlife with his signature look.During the late fitness guru’s celebration of life at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans on Saturday, Oct. 5,his brother Lenny Simmonsspoke about Richard’s workout style — and how Richard’s iconic tank top and shorts are still with him.Lenny told the crowd “a little secret” which he said “not too many people know.““Just like Clark Kent underneath his beautiful things that he was wearing, his clothing, [Richard] is wearing a tank top and shorts,” he said, alluding to what his brother was buried in.“Why, you ask?” Lenny continued. “Because we think that God has another plan for him, and we want to make sure that he was going to be in his normal costume that we all know and love to help the saints and the angels get into shape.“Richard Simmons in 1996.Evan Hurd/Sygma/Getty"So I’m here to say to you that even though he’s not here and I know he’s in spirit here tonight, Richard Simmons will forever be sweating with the Holies,” Lenny concluded his heartfelt speech. “Thank you so much for coming.“Pictures from the celebration of life show Richard’s fans in attendance, with some even sporting workout clothes similar to the late fitness guru’s signature style in his honor.Richard died on July 13, the day after his 76th birthday. PerTMZ, he had fallen in his home on July 11 and refused to seek medical help despitehis housekeeper’s insistence, wanting to spend his birthday at home.The next day, July 12, the housekeeper helped Richard to bed and later found him unresponsive on the morning of July 13. He was declared dead at the scene.TheLos Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Officedetermined that Richard died from blunt traumatic injuries. Heart disease was listed as a contributing factor.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.A small funeral was held for himon July 19, and he was buried at the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary in Los Angeles.Two days before his death, Richard gave what would be hisfinal interviewto PEOPLE, during which hewas asked what it meant to be called “a legend.“He replied, “I don’t hear it at all. I don’t hear the word legend. I don’t hear the word icon. I never lived a celebrity life. I never thought of myself as a celebrity.“People don’t know this, I’m really a shy person and a little bit of an introvert,” Richard continued. “But when that curtain goes up, that’s a different story. I’m there to make people happy.“Richard Simmons.Getty"But the accolades I get from emails. I mean, today most probably, we’ll answer over 100 emails. And they’ll say, ‘I’m your No. 1 fan,’ " Richard told PEOPLE.He continued, “And I just write back, and I say, you know, ‘Don’t say that because I’m a human being just like you. And I know that you do good things, too.’ "

Richard Simmonsis entering the afterlife with his signature look.

During the late fitness guru’s celebration of life at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans on Saturday, Oct. 5,his brother Lenny Simmonsspoke about Richard’s workout style — and how Richard’s iconic tank top and shorts are still with him.

Lenny told the crowd “a little secret” which he said “not too many people know.”

“Just like Clark Kent underneath his beautiful things that he was wearing, his clothing, [Richard] is wearing a tank top and shorts,” he said, alluding to what his brother was buried in.

“Why, you ask?” Lenny continued. “Because we think that God has another plan for him, and we want to make sure that he was going to be in his normal costume that we all know and love to help the saints and the angels get into shape.”

Richard Simmons in 1996.Evan Hurd/Sygma/Getty

Evan Hurd/Sygma/Getty

“So I’m here to say to you that even though he’s not here and I know he’s in spirit here tonight, Richard Simmons will forever be sweating with the Holies,” Lenny concluded his heartfelt speech. “Thank you so much for coming.”

Pictures from the celebration of life show Richard’s fans in attendance, with some even sporting workout clothes similar to the late fitness guru’s signature style in his honor.

Richard died on July 13, the day after his 76th birthday. PerTMZ, he had fallen in his home on July 11 and refused to seek medical help despitehis housekeeper’s insistence, wanting to spend his birthday at home.

The next day, July 12, the housekeeper helped Richard to bed and later found him unresponsive on the morning of July 13. He was declared dead at the scene.

TheLos Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Officedetermined that Richard died from blunt traumatic injuries. Heart disease was listed as a contributing factor.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

A small funeral was held for himon July 19, and he was buried at the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary in Los Angeles.

Two days before his death, Richard gave what would be hisfinal interviewto PEOPLE, during which hewas asked what it meant to be called “a legend.“He replied, “I don’t hear it at all. I don’t hear the word legend. I don’t hear the word icon. I never lived a celebrity life. I never thought of myself as a celebrity.

“People don’t know this, I’m really a shy person and a little bit of an introvert,” Richard continued. “But when that curtain goes up, that’s a different story. I’m there to make people happy.”

Richard Simmons.Getty

“But the accolades I get from emails. I mean, today most probably, we’ll answer over 100 emails. And they’ll say, ‘I’m your No. 1 fan,’ " Richard told PEOPLE.

He continued, “And I just write back, and I say, you know, ‘Don’t say that because I’m a human being just like you. And I know that you do good things, too.’ "

source: people.com