Richard Simmons’ Brother Reveals Fitness Guru Was Buried in Workout Outfit Beneath Clothes During Celebration of Life Speech

Richard Simmons enters the afterlife with his signature look.

During the celebration of the life of the late fitness guru in the cathedral of St. Louis in New Orleans on Saturday, Oct. 5, his brother Lenny Simmons talked about Richard’s workout style — and how Richard’s iconic tank top and shorts are still with him.

Lenny told the crowd a “little secret” that he said “not too many people know.”

“Just like Clark Kent underneath his nice things that he wore, his clothes, [Richard] he’s wearing a tank top and shorts,” he said, alluding to what his brother was buried in.

“Why, you ask?” Lenny continued. “Because we think God has another plan for him, and we want to make sure he’s in his normal costume that we all know and love to help the saints and angels get into shape.”

Richard Simmons 1996

Evan Hurd/Sygma/Getty

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“I’m here to tell you that even though he’s not here and I know he’s here in spirit tonight, Richard Simmons will be sweating with the Saints forever,” Lenny concluded his heartfelt speech. – Thank you very much for coming.

Pictures from the celebration of life show Richard’s fans in attendance, some even wearing workout gear similar to the late fitness guru’s signature style in his honor.

Richard died on July 13, a day after his 76th birthday. According to TMZ, he collapsed at his home on July 11 and refused to seek medical attention despite his housekeeper’s insistence, wanting to spend his birthday at home.

The following day, July 12, the housekeeper helped Richard to bed and later found him unresponsive on the morning of July 13. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Richard died of blunt force trauma. Heart disease has been cited as a contributing factor.

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A small funeral was held for him on July 19, and he was buried at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary in Los Angeles.

Two days before his death, Richard gave what would be his final interview with PEOPLE, during which he was asked what it meant to be called a “legend.” He replied: “I don’t hear it at all. I don’t hear the word legend. I don’t hear the word icon. I’ve never lived a celebrity life. I’ve never thought of myself as a celebrity.

“People don’t know this, I’m a really shy person and a bit of an introvert,” Richard continued. “But when that curtain goes up, it’s a different story. I’m here to make people happy.”

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“But the compliments I get via email. I mean, we’ll probably answer more than 100 emails today. And they’ll say, ‘I’m your No. 1 fan,'” Richard told PEOPLE.

He continued, “I just respond and say, you know, ‘Don’t say that because I’m a human being just like you. And I know you do good things too.’ ”

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Source: HIS Education