Reflection on Richard Simmons’ Final Years
Teresa Level, Richard Simmons’ longtime housekeeper and companion, has opened up about the past year of the beloved fitness guru’s life.
In her first broadcast interview, she shared a candid account of their relationship, revealing he was quite happy in the time leading up to his death on July 13, 2024. Level began her work with Simmons back in 1988, though some rumors suggested she held blame for his retreat from public life. She firmly denied such claims.
When host Liz Kreuz asked if she had “invited” Simmons into this secluded lifestyle, she laughed, saying, “No, I think he invited me!”
While she made it clear their bond was not romantic, she acknowledged its intensity. “He fell in love with me right away and said, ‘No, you’re not going to leave me,'” Level recounted. She referred to their connection using words like brother, friend, and even boyfriend, highlighting its multifaceted nature.
Level asserted that their relationship has been misunderstood by outsiders. “They’re confused. We were really happy, and the last decade was the happiest,” she expressed.
Regarding Simmons’ sexual orientation—something he never publicly addressed—Level opted not to comment. Yet, when asked if she knew of any romantic partners he might have had, she replied, “I did. He never loved someone like me.” She added, “Well, he wasn’t my lover, and it wasn’t sexual, but he always kissed me.”
Reflecting on the months leading up to his passing, she noted, “He wasn’t satisfied that he was old… you know, it’s all part of life.” Level was the one who discovered Simmons after he passed. She described that day as “crazy, sad,” but insisted he was “very, very happy.” It was disheartening for her, as she anticipated more years with him.
Tom Estey, a close friend of Simmons, emphasized the need to celebrate his life, saying, “More importantly, we’ve been close friends for a long time.” On July 11, he had fallen and spent the day resting. It wasn’t until the morning of July 13 that he was found unresponsive in his bedroom.
The cause of death was ruled to be a blunt traumatic injury, with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease noted as a contributing factor, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examining Office, announced two months later. His death was classified as an accident.
Level described Simmons as peaceful when she first saw him after he passed, noting the unsettling similarity to her own experiences with heart attacks in the past.
The day before, she had suggested they go to the hospital for his foot pain, which he resisted, wanting to postpone it. Unfortunately, time was not on their side.
Law enforcement officials confirmed there were no signs of foul play surrounding his death, which leaves many with mixed feelings about the end of an era in fitness and entertainment.
