Richard Simmons' housekeeper fights to reclaim estate's co-trustee role, accuses his brother of deception

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Teresa Reveles Muro, Richard Simmons' housekeeper of nearly 40 years, is asking a judge to reinstate her as co-trustee of the late star’s estate.

She alleges that she was pressured by Richard’s brother, Leonard, to step down shortly after his death in July 2024, according to TMZ. Richard died following complications from a fall, with heart disease contributing to his death. His passing has led to a legal dispute over the handling of his estate and the execution of his will.

Muro, who first discovered Richard's body, claims that Leonard and his wife, Cathy, coerced her into signing away her co-trustee position while she was in a vulnerable emotional state.

Richard Simmons’ longtime housekeeper Teresa Reveles Muro petitions to reclaim co-trustee role of his estate

Teresa Reveles Muro has now filed a legal petition, seeking to undo a decision she says she didn’t fully understand at that time. She alleges that Leonard used fear tactics, suggesting her inheritance might be at risk if she made any errors with the paperwork, further complicating her already overwhelming grief.

According to Muro, within days of Richard’s death, Leonard and Cathy took her to a lawyer’s office where she was presented with documents relinquishing her role as co-trustee. Muro says she signed the papers without understanding the long-term consequences, and only later learned she had been effectively sidelined from having any say in Richard's estate.

After consulting with her own legal counsel, Muro has come forward, asserting that she is best suited to fulfill Richard’s wishes regarding his assets. Her legal team claims they’ve made multiple attempts to resolve the issue with the trust's legal representatives since late July, but Leonard has not agreed to reinstate Muro’s role.

Muro is now asking the court to intervene, requesting that Leonard be blocked from selling any of Richard's assets, or using his name and likeness until her petition is addressed. The housekeeper, who shared a close bond with Richard throughout his life, believes she is in the best position to ensure that his final wishes are honored.

Richard Simmons’ housekeeper’s co-trustee request sparks online debate

The legal battle between Richard’s longtime housekeeper, Muro, and his brother Leonard has ignited strong reactions across social media, with opinions sharply divided over who should manage the late fitness icon’s estate.

In the Facebook comment section of the TMZ article, one user commented, "Doesn't matter whether it's $100 or a million dollars, when someone dies people will fight."

Others expressed sympathy for Muro, who worked with Simmons for nearly 40 years, with one supporter saying, "I hope she gets it. She was with him for 40 years. I think she knew him best, even better than his brother. His brother sounds like a terrible person."

Many users sided with Muro, praising her dedication to Richard, with one writing, "She deserves it. She took care of him..." Another added, "I agree with the housekeeper, she was grieving."

However, not everyone was supportive. One skeptical user suggested, "Please, she probably did it to him to get control of his estate. Everything should be donated and no one get a thing." Despite the back-and-forth, some urged for more kindness in the discussion, with one person remarking, "People say the most unkind things. Why can’t you keep them to yourself?"

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