Reveles began working for Simmons in 1986 and lived with him for the next 35 years. While working for Simmons – who died on July 13, one day after his 76th birthday – she gained an intimate insight into the fitness icon’s personal life.
In her very first interview, Reveles confessed, “I can’t stop crying I can’t believe what happened.”
When asked if Reveles would like to talk about it her beloved former boss and friend at a later date, she said, “No, I want to celebrate Richard. He died happy.”
Reveles recalled finding Simmons’ body in the bathroom and how “peaceful” he looked. She also noticed that his hands were clenched into tight fists.
The housekeeper said her own medical history led her to believe Simmons died of a heart attack his cause of death has not yet been confirmed by officials.
She explained: “That’s why I know it was a heart attack. I had that too a heart attack a few years ago, and my hands did the same thing.”
As she talked about finding Simmons, she thought back to their first conversation together, almost 40 years ago.
According to the People interview, she was contracted to work for Simmons through an agency in 1986.
Reveles recalled showing up at Simmons’ door with a small suitcase. Surprised by her lack of personal belongings, the fitness star asked where the rest of her belongings were. She replied, “I’ll just take the briefcase with me because I’m only trying this for two weeks. If you don’t like me or if you don’t like me, I don’t like cooking, then I can’t work.”
Simmons told her, “Teresa, come in, you’re never leaving. We’ll go be together until I die.”
Recalling their first conversation, Reveles said, “And you know what? His dream came true. He knew somehow.”
The two were eventually together are dead – and over the years she became more than just his housekeeper. Reveles cooked for Simmons, ran his errands and called himself his “companion”.
They lived under the same roof, traveled the world together and shared all their meals together.
When reflecting on their many years together, Reveles shared Simmons’ playful side.
She said: “If I was in the kitchen and then came into the living room he would hide and jump out, so loudly he would scare me to death. I’d start screaming, ‘Richard, you almost killed me. !’ He just laughed and said, “Teresa, almost does not count. ”
In the last years of his life, Simmons became reclusive and spent most of his time out of the public eye.