Richard Simmons' Brother Clashes with Housekeeper Over Estate Management

The contentious court dispute concerning the management of Richard Simmons’ substantial fortune has escalated, as exclusively revealed by Us Weekly.

On November 21, Leonard Simmons, brother of the departed fitness icon, submitted a formal request seeking to oust Teresa Reveles Muro, who served as Richard's housekeeper, from her position as co-trustee of the estate.

Richard passed away on July 13, 2024, at 76 years old. His last will and testament designated Leonard and Muro, who had resided with Richard in his Los Angeles residence for 36 years, as the joint administrators of his estate.

Following his passing, Muro alleged that Leonard and his associates deceived her into signing paperwork that relinquished her entitlement to act as an estate co-trustee. Leonard refuted these claims. The parties engaged in a protracted dispute for several months until a judge determined that Muro would retain her co-trustee status.

In his recent court submission, Leonard declared his inability to collaborate with Muro. He proposed the appointment of an impartial third-party trustee to “manage the Trust, oversee fee and expense disbursements, and handle the intellectual property assets belonging to the Trust.”

Leonard stated his willingness to step down as co-trustee provided Muro also tenders her resignation. He further indicated that should Muro decline to resign, he seeks her court-ordered removal and the revocation of all authority she holds over Richard's estate.

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In his court document, Leonard asserted that Muro has leveraged her position as co-trustee to execute a “personal vendetta” against him and other individuals “she perceives to have harmed her.”

He alleged Muro harbors resentment because she was requested to vacate Richard’s mansion 75 days post-mortem “to facilitate the property’s sale.”

“Teresa is displeased that Richard designated Leonard as the recipient of his life insurance policy, omitting her,” Leonard’s legal counsel claimed. “[Muro] is resentful that Leonard requested the return of items she took from the house upon her departure, so they could be managed by the Trust. She is also aggrieved that the Trust concluded her employment as Richard’s house manager roughly seventy-five days after his passing.”

Leonard’s petition further stated, “The catalog of complaints is extensive, and she is exploiting the Trust’s administration to voice her dissatisfaction and seek retribution, concurrently trying to divert attention from her unlawful appropriation and ongoing retention of Trust assets.”

(Conversely, Muro asserted in court documents that Richard “would be utterly appalled if he were aware of his brother Leonard’s actions since his untimely demise.”)

Leonard’s filing alleged that Richard’s former housekeeper has “disseminated untrue and harmful allegations against those she views as her adversaries” within legal submissions.

“Furthermore, she declines telephone conversations with Leonard, preferring email correspondence, much of which seems to be drafted by her legal representatives,” his attorney contended. “Due to her … conduct, the management of the Trust is significantly hindered.”

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Leonard stated that Richard’s residence remains unsold. (Richard’s sprawling four-bedroom, five-bathroom, 4,119-square-foot property initially went on the market in June for $6.9 million. Its asking price was lowered to $6.5 million in August, further decreased to $6.3 million in September, and saw another reduction on November 29 to $5,889,999.)

In his legal submission, Leonard asserted the property hasn't sold because “among other reasons, Teresa for months declined to approve agreements with contractors for the removal of contents from the house.” He maintained the house was intended for listing in January, but only became available on the market in June.

Leonard’s lawyer claimed, “Even with prospective buyers, Teresa currently refuses to consent to a substantial price adjustment to assist in negotiations, and she has not yet replied to Leonard’s plea to extend the listing contract with the real estate agent.”

Furthermore, the petition charged Muros with declining to “authorize a considerable portion of the legal costs borne by the trust, citing her disapproval of Leonard’s actions and asserting that Leonard ought to cover these expenses personally.” Leonard stated that Richard’s housekeeper refuses to compensate Richard’s publicist and has inundated him with inquiries concerning memorials for Richard, which she suspects he orchestrated while excluding her. He refuted these allegations.

Leonard implored the court for prompt intervention.

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In a prior development of the legal dispute, Leonard had accused Muro of removing valuable jewelry, potentially valued at $1 million, from Richard’s residence.

Muro contended that Richard had bestowed the costly jewelry upon her as a gift. She asserted that he presented her with the items on Thanksgiving of 2014.

In a sworn statement, Muro informed the court, “Richard descended to the kitchen of the Residence carrying multiple pieces of jewelry and placed them on the kitchen table.”

“Richard slipped a pink diamond ring onto my finger and indicated it was for me. I was surprised yet accepted this thoughtful present,” she claimed. “Later that same day, closer to dinner, Richard informed me he was giving me all the remaining Gifted Jewelry on the kitchen table, stating he would no longer wear it and wished for me to possess it.”

Muro further stated, ”I expressed gratitude to Richard for his magnanimous presents and relocated all the gifted jewelry he provided to my chamber, where it remained until my departure from the Residence on September 26, 2024.”

The judicial dispute continues.