Richard Simmons’ family is gearing up for a fight with his longtime housekeeper after she filed a motion to be reinstated as a co-trustee of his estate.
Teresa Reveles, who lived and worked with Simmons for 35 years starting in 1987 until his sudden death at the age of 76 in July, filed her petition to be reinstated as a co-trustee of Simmons’ estate this week, claiming she had been pressured into signing documents removing her.
Reveles’ petition went on to allege that following “an open casket viewing of Richard’s body” that Simmons’ brother Lenny Simmons and his wife Cathy Simmons took her “to a meeting … to discuss Richard’s financial affairs.”
“For nearly 36 years, Teresa lived with Richard, cared for him, and was his closest friend and devoted confidant. Not surprisingly, Richard named Teresa as one of his successor Trustees of his Trust, wanting and expecting that she would be responsible for administering his Trust should he predecease her,” the petition read, according to PEOPLE.
Reveles claimed Lenny and Cathy didn’t allow her to consult her own lawyer and pressured her into signing documents that stripped her of her role as co-trustee of Simmons’ estate by leading her to believe she could lose her inheritance.
Adding that the siblings hadn’t seen each other in person in six years, Reveles is also looking to stop Lenny from profiting off his brother’s image and likeness.
But Lenny and Cathy say Reveles’ claims are “completely and demonstrably false.”
“Richard’s message was always one of joy and positivity. He would be heartbroken to learn of Teresa’s greed and the way in which she has insulted and publicly diminished their supposed three decades of friendship. Her actions threaten to harm Richard’s incredible legacy, which we are working hard to preserve,” the family’s spokesperson Tom Estey told Postmedia in a statement.
“Richard took impeccable care of Teresa and made sure even after his passing that she was well taken care of,” the statement continues. “She is a significant beneficiary of his will. She made an informed decision to decline to serve as co-trustee of the estate, which does not affect her status as a beneficiary at all.”
The family said co-trustees have to be able to “work together” and Reveles “has shown by her actions that she does not share those interests.”
“Even now, two months after he died, she is staying in his house, even though she has her own residence, and she has attempted to charge the estate for her living expenses. We also have learned that a documentary has been pitched to Netflix that identifies Teresa as the principal source and contributor and that we believe will be hurtful to Richard’s legacy.”
The family concluded their statement by saying that they are confident the court will deny Reveles’ petition. “Unfortunately, it appears that Teresa intends to waste the assets of the estate, which otherwise would go to the beneficiaries, to pursue meritless and pointless litigation,” they stated.
After Simmons’ shocking death in July, just one day after his 76th birthday, Reveles told PEOPLE of how she found him in his bedroom.
“When I saw him, he looked peaceful,” Reveles recalled. “That’s why I know it was a heart attack. I had a heart attack a few years ago, and my hands did the same,” she said. “He died happy.”
Last month, Lenny revealed that Simmons’ death was a result of “complications from recent falls and heart disease.”
“The Coroner informed Lenny that Richard’s 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. The Family wishes to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support during this time of great loss,” a spokesman for the family told told PEOPLE.
In his final interview, conducted two days before his death, Simmons said that he knew he had been missed by his many supporters since he retreated from the public eye a decade ago.
“I know people miss me,” Simmons said. “And you know what? I miss them, too.”
In an email to Postmedia at the time, Estey said he was “devastated” by Simmons’ death.
“I’ve spent 32 glorious years representing this kind, generous, brilliant and loving man,” Estey wrote. “His family and I are devastated by his passing. The world lost an angel walking amongst us. I can say with 100% certainty there will never be another like him. We ask that you celebrate and respect his memory.”