Diane Sawyer Lays Bare Richard Simmons’ Reclusive Final Days Inside Storied L.A. Mansion—as Property Finds a New Owner

Nearly two years after his death, new details about the reclusive final days of fitness icon Richard Simmons’ are being brought to light in a new television special that will see famed broadcast journalist Diane Sawyer venturing inside the Hollywood Hills mansion where he spent the last decade of his life, largely hidden from public view.

In a new ABC News special, “The Mystery of Richard Simmons: A Diane Sawyer Special,” which premieres on May 12 at 9 p.m. ET, the late star’s longtime house manager, Teresa Reveles, opens up about his secluded lifestyle inside the sprawling Los Angeles estate, where he lived until his death in July 2024.

According to Reveles, Simmons, who passed away at the age of 76, would often disguise himself whenever he ventured outside the home, wearing elaborate costumes ranging from clown outfits to women’s clothing in an effort to avoid public attention.

"He'd do all the very different costumes," Reveles reveals. "Sometimes he'd be a clown. Sometimes he'd be a woman. Nobody knows [it] was him. And then later he [would] go—we [would] go in the car and—I [would] take him all [over] the city so we can see the new buildings, the new store."

The special also revisits the final moments before his death, which was the result of a sudden fall inside his home.

Reveles reveals that Simmons had suffered a fall the night before his death, but says he was initially reluctant to seek medical attention, telling those around him that he simply wanted to remain at home.

Reveles recalls that the fitness star spent his final evening watching television, eating dinner, and speaking about how grateful he was for his life and supporters before retreating to bed.

The ABC special further reveals that Reveles discovered Simmons unresponsive in his bedroom the following morning after noticing he had not emerged from his usual routine.

She emotionally recounts the moment she called 911 from inside the home, while Simmons’ brother, Lenny Simmons, reflected on the heartbreaking aftermath and the intensely private life the star had chosen to live during his later years.

In addition to detailing his death, the special lifts the lid into Simmons’ decadelong disappearance from public life, featuring interviews with close friends and former associates who describe how the once larger-than-life television personality became increasingly withdrawn while remaining deeply attached to the comfort and security of his Hollywood Hills estate.

The mansion itself is an ornate 1937 NeoClassical Revival property perched above the Sunset Strip that has since become almost as famous as its former owner.

Simmons purchased the four-bedroom estate in the 1980s and lived there for more than four decades, transforming it into what many close to him described as a deeply personal sanctuary. 

Filled with eccentric decorative touches that mirrored Simmons’ vibrant public persona, the property features everything from staircase cherubs and boldly patterned wallpaper to curved French doors, terraced gardens, and a key-shaped swimming pool.

The nearly 5,000-square-foot residence also includes an attic gym space—a fitting feature for the man who built an empire encouraging millions to exercise through his wildly successful “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” workout videos. 

Yet while Simmons was once one of the most recognizable personalities in America, the beloved entertainer quietly retreated from public life in 2014, sparking years of speculation about his whereabouts and health.

The ABC special aims to “pull back the curtain” on those years, with interviews from Reveles, Simmons’ brother Lenny, and several of the star’s longtime confidants. 

At the same time, Simmons’ longtime home has continued making headlines of its own.

The estate first hit the market in 2025 for roughly $7 million before later being repositioned as a “development opportunity” with a discounted asking price of $5.79 million.

Listing agents Rachelle Rosten and Kelly deLaat previously told Realtor.com® that the property’s true value lies in its expansive hilltop lot and sweeping city views, which they believe offer buyers the chance to create a “world-class estate.” 

Having originally been touted as a chance to own Simmons' former home, the dwelling then shifted its marketing plan to a one-of-a-kind development opportunity for a buyer who is seeking to create their own personal paradise perched above the iconic Sunset Strip.

"Originally celebrated for its connection to former owner Richard Simmons and the private sanctuary he created, the property is now being reintroduced as a compelling canvas for transformation," Rosten explained to Realtor.com.

"Set high above the Sunset Strip with sweeping panoramic views, this iconic estate presents a rare opportunity to reimagine and build something truly remarkable in one of Los Angeles’ most coveted enclaves."

Despite the marketing pivot, the home’s connection to Simmons remains a major draw for fans and buyers alike.

The home, which features four bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, currently occupies only a small portion of the 0.56-acre parcel on which it sits, allowing ample opportunity for additional structures or for a much larger primary residence to be built.

"The gated, private parcel offers dramatic panoramic city views and sweeping vistas, with multiple usable tiers featuring generous flat pads, terraced gardens, and a dedicated pool level," the description notes.

"This flexible topography creates an ideal canvas for new construction, guest structures, expansion, or a reimagined modern compound while capitalizing on the exceptional privacy and positioning."

“The property’s celebrity provenance and distinctive design details will naturally generate significant interest,” Rosten previously told Realtor.com, pointing specifically to the home’s colorful interiors and deeply personal touches left behind by Simmons. 

The home was removed from the market and then relisted on April 14 for $5.8 million.

Now, after a lengthy and at times difficult sales process, the property has finally found a buyer.

TMZ reported that the estate is currently under contract for $5.79 million after previously falling out of escrow late last year. 

Even as he retreated inside the property, Simmons maintained a close connection with his fans through Facebook updates in which he would offer glimpses of his life—while also sharing inspirational messages.

The reason behind his disappearance became the source of intense media scrutiny, with a TMZ documentary, titled "What Really Happened to Richard Simmons," claiming that his decision to step away from public life was the result of a longtime ailment that he had suffered since birth.

"Something that happened to him at birth is directly connected to his disappearance—a birth defect that significantly affected one of his legs," TMZ editor Fabian Garcia claimed in the documentary, according to the New York Post.

"He was born without a full set of bones in his foot, and it causes physical and emotional problems."

In 2024, before his death, Simmons addressed the speculation about his disappearance in a social media post, urging his fans to pay no attention to the rumors.

"Don’t believe everything you read. I no longer have a manager, and I no longer have a publicist. I just try to live a quiet life and be peaceful," he wrote.

According to property records, Simmons purchased the home in the 1980s, and it is understood to have served as his main residence until he died.

However, the dwelling, which was built in 1937, was transferred to a trust of which Lenny is the trustee, after Simmons' death.