Current:Home > reviewsRichard Simmons' final days: Fitness guru deferred medical care to spend birthday at home -BeyondProfit Compass
Richard Simmons' final days: Fitness guru deferred medical care to spend birthday at home
Oliver James Montgomery View
Date:2025-04-10 13:31:47
More information about the circumstances of Richard Simmons' death has been released.
The day before the beloved fitness guru died on July 13, he deferred medical care after collapsing at his home because he wanted to spend the day at home for his 76th birthday, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Department report reviewed by USA TODAY Thursday.
The report summarized the monthlong investigation into Simmons' cause of death and compiled information provided in interviews with witnesses and law enforcement, as well as an autopsy and lab work.
The former "Richard Simmons Show" host's death was ruled an accident. Simmons, whose legal name was Milton Teagle Simmons, died due to "sequelae of blunt traumatic injuries" — or complications stemming from injuries — with "arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease" as a contributing condition, per the report.
Richard Simmons spent the day in bed after a fall
According to witness accounts provided for the report, Simmons experienced dizziness after using the restroom and collapsed on the evening of July 11. His caretaker discovered him on the floor at around 9:30 a.m. the following morning, and with assistance from his housekeeper, they helped Simmons into bed. No foul play is suspected.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
"He refused to seek medical care because he wanted to spend his birthday (07/12/2024) at home and agreed to seek medical care the following morning (07/13/2024)," the report reads.
He reportedly spent the day in bed, and Simmons' secretary believed his speech seemed slurred. His caretaker stayed with him until around 10 p.m. on July 12 and agreed to let him sleep in before seeking medical care. The next morning, at around 9:30 a.m., his caretaker found him unresponsive on the floor of his bedroom.
The autopsy found multiple contusions and abrasions on Simmons' body, as well as a fracture in his left femur.
The details in the report reflect what Teresa Reveles, Simmons' house manager of 35 years, told People magazine last month.
'Let me fly you to the moon':Richard Simmons' staff shares social media post he wrote before his death
Reveles said she was introduced to Simmons through an agency in 1986.
"I showed up in here and Richard says to me, 'Where are your clothes? Where is your big suitcase?' I said, 'I just bring the little suitcase because I only try this for two weeks. If you don't like me or you don't like my cooking, then I can't work,' " Reveles recalled, but Simmons replied, "Teresa, come in, you are never going to leave. We are going to be together until I die."
She added: "And you know what? His dream came true. He knew somehow."
Read more about the celebrities you love: Sign up for USA TODAY's Everyone's Talking newsletter.
Reveles said she found Simmons in his bedroom following his death and described, "When I saw him, he looked peaceful." The prior day he'd complained that his legs "hurt a lot."
Reveles also reflected on Simmons' retreat from the public eye in the final years of his life. She said Simmons wanted to leave the spotlight due to health issues and insecurity about his physical appearance. Reveles said Simmons suffered from knee pain and "thought he looked too old."
Simmons was doing well in the days leading up to his death, Reveles said, adding that he was staying in touch with fans through phone calls and emails and that he was writing a Broadway musical about his life story.
Contributing: Edward Segarra
veryGood! (5251)
Related
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Super Bowl commercials, from Adam Driver(s) to M&M candies; the hits and the misses
- Inflation eased again in January – but there's a cautionary sign
- Warming Trends: At COP26, a Rock Star Named Greta, and Threats to the Scottish Coast. Plus Carbon-Footprint Menus and Climate Art Galore
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Our 2023 valentines
- Warming Trends: Where Have All the Walruses Gone? Plus, a Maple Mystery, ‘Cool’ Islands and the Climate of Manhattan
- A Single Chemical Plant in Louisville Emits a Super-Pollutant That Does More Climate Damage Than Every Car in the City
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- Want To Get Ready in 3 Minutes? Beauty Gurus Love This $5 Makeup Stick for Cheeks, Eyes, and Lips
Ranking
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- How Biden's latest student loan forgiveness differs from debt relief blocked by Supreme Court
- Catholic Bishops in the US Largely Ignore the Pope’s Concern About Climate Change, a New Study Finds
- She left her 2007 iPhone in its box for over a decade. It just sold for $63K
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Federal Trade Commission's request to pause Microsoft's $69 billion takeover of Activision during appeal denied by judge
- Maya Hawke Details Lying to Dad Ethan Hawke the Night She Lost Her Virginity
- Microsoft vs. Google: Whose AI is better?
Recommendation
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
More than 300,000 bottles of Starbucks bottled Frappuccinos have been recalled
Warming Trends: At COP26, a Rock Star Named Greta, and Threats to the Scottish Coast. Plus Carbon-Footprint Menus and Climate Art Galore
To be a happier worker, exercise your social muscle
Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
Your Super Bowl platter may cost less this year – if you follow these menu twists
Health concerns grow in East Palestine, Ohio, after train derailment
Cheers Your Cosmos to the Most Fabulous Sex and the City Gift Guide