The legendary fitness guru Richard Simmons died died back in July just one day after his 76th birthday. Now, his older brother Lenny has revealed that Richard was buried in his beloved workout clothes.
Richard Buried in His Workout Clothes
During a service honoring Richard’s life that took place on Saturday, Lenny told attendees “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,” Lenny said. “Why, you ask? 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.”
“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,” he continued.
Honestly, isn’t the Clark Kent/Superman analogy sweet?
Related: Richard Simmons’ Housekeeper, The Only Witness, Reveals How She Thinks He Really Died
Richard’s Death
Richard was found dead in his Los Angeles mansion on July 13, one day after his 76th birthday. He had suffered a fall at his home on July 11, but he refused to go to the hospital because he wanted to spend his July 12 birthday at home.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office later found that Richard died from blunt traumatic injuries, with heart disease being listed as a determining factor.
“The toxicology report was negative other than medication Richard had been prescribed,” Richard’s publicist told USA Today. “The family wishes to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support during this time of great loss. … The world has truly lost an angel.”
Richard’s Final Words
Just two days before his death, Richard gave what would become his final interview. In this interview, he was asked what it meant to him to be called “a legend.”
“I don’t hear it at all. I don’t hear the word legend…I don’t hear the word icon,” Richard told People Magazine. He went on to say that he “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,” he added. “But when that curtain goes up, that’s a different story. I’m there to make people happy.”
Richard went on to say that the support that he got from his friends meant the world to him. And he can rest assured that he did make people happy. Millions of them. For decades!
“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,'” he stated. “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.'”
On Friday, July 12, Richard took to Facebook to thank his fans for their birthday messages.
“Thank you,” he wrote. “I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life! I am sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful rest of your Friday.”
Rest in peace, Richard Simmons.