Richard Simmons’ brother shared a fitting detail about the fitness star’s burial at a celebration of his life in October 2024: beneath his regular clothes, Richard was wearing his familiar workout outfit.
Simmons, whose birth name was Milton, died on July 13, 2024, one day after his 76th birthday. His tank tops, shorts and energetic encouragement had made him instantly recognizable to generations of viewers.
Lenny Simmons spoke at the celebration in New Orleans, remembering his brother with affection and humor. The clothing was a small detail, but one closely connected with the way the public knew Richard.
He compared the outfit hidden beneath the other clothes to Clark Kent’s costume, before explaining why the family had chosen it.
Lenny said the family wanted Richard in the outfit everyone recognized, ready to “help the saints and the angels get into shape.” It was a tribute delivered by a grieving brother, using the humor and energy associated with Richard’s work.
He followed that thought with a play on the title of Richard’s famous exercise videos, saying his brother would be “sweating with the Holies.” The line gave the gathering a way to remember him through the activity he had made his life’s work.
The Lasting Legacy of Richard Simmons
Simmons’ public image was colorful, but he described his purpose in straightforward terms: helping people. In his final interview, he spoke about being seen as unusual or silly and about audiences accepting him as an ordinary person.
He did not describe himself as living a conventional celebrity life. Instead, he emphasized going out and helping others. That explanation fits the encouragement many viewers associated with his workouts, alongside the music and unmistakable clothes.
His exercise videos made that approach available in people’s homes. The clothes Lenny described recalled that familiar version of Richard, rather than replacing it with a more formal public image at the end of his life.
At the memorial, the tank top and shorts became a way for his brother to tell a story about who Richard had been. The detail was affectionate, personal and immediately recognizable to people who had watched him lead a workout.
