Richard Simmons' housekeeper of 35 years has asked a judge to make her co-trustee of the late fitness mogul's estate after she alleges his brother Leonard removed her from the role.
In a legal petition filed Wednesday in Los Angeles, Teresa Revels Murrow claims that Leonard Simmons, aka Lenny, and his wife, Kathy, took advantage of her when she was at “her most vulnerable” and persuaded her to turn down a co-trustee position in the days after Simmons' death, according to court documents obtained by the agency. TMZ,
Revels Murrow alleges that Leonard and Kathy drove her to the office of the lawyers who handled Simmons' trust, at the same time that the three viewed Simmons' body after his death in July. In her filing, Revels Murrow also claims she signed a document stating she wanted to decline the role of co-trustee, but insists she did not know what she was signing and that she was unhappy.
Facebook/Teresa Revels
As TMZ reports, the late aerobics guru's co-partner said she was pressured to sign the documents because Leonard and Kathy “told her that any mistakes in the paperwork could jeopardize her inheritance rights under the trust.”
Revels Murrow claims she later received a letter stating she would no longer have a “major role” in handling Simmons' estate.
According to Revels Murrow, no one explained what declining the co-trustee role would mean or advised her to speak to a lawyer about the matter.
After hiring a lawyer, she now wants to become full co-trustee of Simmons' estate alongside his brother, reportedly claiming she is best suited to carry out Simmons' final wishes.
According to TMZ, Revels Murrow's attorneys say they have contacted the law firm handling Simmons' trust several times since the star's death, but have yet to receive a “specific explanation as to why Leonard did not agree to override Murrow's refusal and let him serve as co-trustee, as required by Richard's will.”
Revels Murrow's petition demands that Leonard be barred from selling any of the late fitness icon's assets or exploiting his name, image and likeness until the judge in the case issues a ruling.
Simmons died after falling in the bathroom on July 13, the night before his 76th birthday. Despite Revels Murrow's concern, Simmons reportedly refused to seek medical help. The next morning, she found him dead on the floor near his bed.
A month later, Leonard reported that his brother had died from “complications resulting from a recent fall and heart disease.”
Shortly after Simmons' funeral, Revels Murrow spoke about his death in an emotional interview.
“I can't stop crying. I still can't believe what happened,” she said People,
“I want to celebrate Richard. He died happy.”
At the time, Leonard praised Revels Murrow, telling People, “Teresa was extremely loyal and trustworthy.”
“She loved my brother and he loved her,” he added. “We are blessed to have Teresa in our lives.”
