Richard Simmons spent decades motivating millions to move, smile, and feel better about themselves. But in death, the man known for joy and generosity appears to be at the center of a conflict he likely never wanted. When Simmons died in California, he expected that his legacy would be remembered with care and respect. Instead, a legal battle over his possessions now threatens to overshadow the warmth he brought into the world.

At first glance, the disagreement may seem trivial. Clothes. Old shorts. Personal items. But the deeper this fight goes, the clearer it becomes that this isn’t just about belongings, according to the National Examiner. It’s about control, memory, and whether Simmons’ own wishes are being left behind.

The ongoing dispute over Simmons’ roughly $20 million estate pits his older brother, Leonard Simmons, against Teresa Reveles Muro, his longtime housekeeper of nearly 36 years. The flashpoint centers on Simmons’ iconic striped shorts, which Leonard claims went missing shortly after Richard’s death. Teresa says she took them, believing they were being discarded, and wanted to keep them as a sentimental reminder of the man she worked alongside for decades.

California Lawsuit Feels at Odds With Richard Simmons’ Spirit

“Teresa believed the shorts were being discarded and did not want them to be taken to charity,” says court docs in the long-running court battle. “Teresa took them because they were of sentimental value to her, a way to remember her nearly 36 years with Richard.”

What makes the situation especially heartbreaking is how far it seems to drift from what Richard Simmons openly talked about while he was alive. Instead of carefully preserving his legacy, the people closest to him are now locked in a courtroom struggle over who gets what.

Richard Simmons built an empire not on perfection, but on compassion. Rising to fame through his Sweatin’ to the Oldies workouts, he became a fixture in American pop culture. Recognizable instantly by his boundless energy, kind words, and unmistakable wardrobe. His death in July 2024 came after a fall down a staircase inside his Hollywood Hills home. He was 76.

Final Wishes, Left Hanging

Beyond fitness, Simmons was a collector of memories. In a past Men’s Health interview, he revealed that his signature gym shorts, long since discontinued, had taken on a life of their own. He owned more than 400 pairs dating back to 1979. Many were sent directly from fans who found them tucked away in garages or storage boxes and thought of him. Simmons joked about fans assuring him they had washed them before mailing them, and he wore them proudly anyway.

That same interview revealed something far more telling: Simmons had long planned to donate his extensive wardrobe to the Smithsonian. His closet wasn’t just filled with shorts. It held custom tank tops, costumes, tutus, and ballerina outfits, each piece reflecting the joy and theatricality he embraced. He didn’t want a single item on display. He joked he wanted an entire wing dedicated to his life.

Now, as lawsuits rage over missing shorts and estate control. It’s hard not to wonder if Simmons’ carefully imagined legacy is slipping through the cracks. Instead of honoring his plan to preserve his life’s work for the public. The focus has shifted to accusations, demands, and resentment.

Richard Simmons lived loudly, colorfully, and with intention. That’s what makes this legal battle so painful to watch. The man who spent his life encouraging others to move forward now has his own legacy stalled by conflict. Whether his final wishes will be fulfilled remains uncertain. But what’s clear is that this fight feels tragically out of step with the joy Richard Simmons worked so hard to give the world.