Richard Simmons’ Legacy

For decades, Richard Simmons was more than a fitness guru—he was a cultural touchstone. With boundless energy, sequined tank tops, and a mission to make exercise joyful, Simmons inspired millions. Yet in the months since his death in July 2024, the spotlight on him has shifted from his infectious workouts to a deeply public dispute over his estate.

At the heart of the controversy is a story that estate planners know all too well: the best intentions in life can unravel after death if the plan is incomplete, unclear, or vulnerable to challenge.

The Co-Trustee Who Wasn’t

In his trust, Simmons named two co-trustees—his loyal housekeeper of decades, Teresa Reveles, and his brother, Leonard (“Lenny”) Simmons. Shortly after his passing, Lenny called Teresa to a meeting at his attorney’s office.  He pressured Teresa to sign paperwork stepping aside as co-trustee. She later said that she made her decision while she was grieving and without the benefit of legal advice. She has since gone to court to be reinstated, claiming she was pressured to leave her role.

In her absence, Leonard assumed sole control. That control has become the flashpoint—not over who gets the furniture or the bank accounts, but over something arguably more valuable: Richard Simmons himself.

The Business of Being Richard Simmons

Even in death, Simmons’ image, voice, likeness, and story are powerful assets. They are part of what lawyers call postmortem rights of publicity—a form of intellectual property that can generate revenue long after a celebrity has passed. Think of Elvis Presley’s Graceland tours, Marilyn Monroe merchandise, or Bob Ross’s painting kits.

These rights are not abstract. They are marketable, licensable, and protectable—if managed properly. In the wrong hands, however, they can be used in ways that stray from the person’s values, dilute their brand, or even exploit their memory.

In Simmons’ case, reports suggest that his brother has begun monetizing these rights, making decisions about how Richard’s name, image, and likeness will be used. Teresa’s legal filings seek to halt these activities until her claim to co-trusteeship is resolved. This raises an essential question for all estate planners: How do you protect not just your client’s property, but their personhood?

Lessons for Estate Planning

1. Name Trustees with Care—and Consider Neutrality
   Co-trustees can provide balance, but only if they share a common vision. In high-profile or high-value estates, especially those involving intellectual property, a neutral corporate fiduciary may ensure that decisions are made in the estate’s best interest—not one person’s.
2. Plan for Intellectual Property and Publicity Rights
   If your client has creative works, a recognizable persona, or a unique life story, their estate plan should spell out how those assets can (or cannot) be used. Without guidance, trustees may default to monetization without regard for legacy preservation.
3. Protect Against Pressure and Hastily Signed Waivers
   Post-death transitions are emotional and can be manipulative moments. Legal safeguards—such as requiring independent counsel for certain decisions—can keep trustees from stepping aside in the fog of grief.
4. Document the Grantor’s Wishes in Detail
   For clients with a strong sense of brand or personal image, letters of instruction, ethical wills, or even contractual licensing terms can guide trustees long after the client is gone.

The Bigger Picture

For many of our clients, “estate” means more than bank accounts and real estate. It includes who they are—their creative output, their story, their reputation. In the era of social media, streaming platforms, and instant merchandising, those intangibles can be the most valuable (and vulnerable) part of a legacy.

The Richard Simmons case reminds us that without clear instructions, carefully chosen fiduciaries, and protections for intellectual property, even the most cherished public figure can see their memory shaped—and sold—by others.

Estate planning is about more than dividing assets. It’s about ensuring that the story told after you’re gone is the one you would have wanted.

Evan J. Krame