Richard Simmons is “sweatin’ to the oldies” in his final resting place. The eccentric fitness guru, who died July 13 at age 76, was buried in his famous workout gear.
That little known detail was revealed during a memorial service honoring Simmons over the weekend by his brother, Lenny Simmons.
“Just like Clark Kent, underneath his clothing, he is wearing a tank top and shorts,” he told mourners at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans on Saturday. “Why, you ask? Because we think that God has another plan for him, and we made 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.”
He added, “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.”
One day after celebrating his 76th birthday, Simmons was found dead at his Hollywood Hills home on the morning of July 13. He had reportedly felt dizzy and fallen in his bathroom but declined to seek medical attention, telling his housekeeper he would go to the doctor the next day if he didn’t feel better.
Weeks later, family spokesperson Tom Estey said the Los Angeles Coroner’s office confirmed that the cause of death was accidental due to complications from recent falls and heart disease as a contributing factor. The toxicology report was negative “other than medication Richard had been prescribed.”
Born Milton Teagle Simmons in New Orleans in 1948, he became a pop culture phenomenon with his “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” workout video series, diet and exercise books and by hosting the Emmy Award-winning “The Richard Simmons Show” from 1980-84.
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