In 2012, Pauline Potter made headlines worldwide when she was crowned the world’s heaviest woman by the Guinness World Records—tipping the scales at over 700 pounds (320 kilograms), roughly the weight of a fully grown female polar bear.
At 61, the star of My 600-lb Life has undergone a jaw-dropping transformation that has left fans in awe of her new look and determination.
Pauline became a household name in 2011 after claiming the record, a milestone she once proudly shared with her then-husband, Alex. The couple, who met online and married on Valentine’s Day in 2003, bonded over a shared appreciation for her size.
“Alex encouraged me to eat whatever I wanted,” Pauline recalled in an interview with The Mirror. “He would cook massive meals—turkey, roast potatoes—and load up my plate. Because he loved my size, I set a goal to reach 700 pounds to be even bigger for him.”
Their relationship was deeply intertwined with food. “He made spaghetti, brought me French bread, and even hand-fed me pudding,” she shared. “It was intimate… a very loving thing.”
But Pauline’s story didn’t end with the world record. After years of battling her weight and the health risks that came with it, she shocked the world with a life-altering decision—and her transformation journey since has been nothing short of inspiring.
But not everyone saw it that way. Dr. Chris Steele, former resident physician for ITV’s This Morning, issued a stark warning about the dangerous reality behind Pauline’s extreme weight.
“At 700 pounds, Pauline weighed more than her age at 47—and she was dicing with death,” Dr. Steele said. “Anyone who is that overweight faces huge potential health problems. There’s nothing loving about encouraging or enabling obesity.”
Those sobering words marked a turning point. Pauline eventually realized that love shouldn’t cost you your life—and her decision to reclaim her health would lead her down a path of remarkable change.
A Life-Changing Wake-Up Call
Pauline said she was “shocked” when Guinness officially named her “the world’s fattest woman.” Not long after, her husband left, and she was left in the care of her 17-year-old son, Dillon.
At her heaviest, Pauline could no longer fully care for herself. She relied on Dillon to help her eat, bathe, and even move around. Her son also had to assist her with personal hygiene, which became increasingly difficult as Pauline’s size limited her mobility.
“I have a walk-in bath and I sit on a stool with a flexible shower head,” she explained. “There’s a lot of work involved. With lots of rolls of flesh you can get infection in the folds. My son has to help me when there are areas I can’t reach.”
Even basic tasks like grocery shopping required Dillon’s help, and Pauline needed a mobility scooter after outgrowing her car. “Occasionally I do get nasty comments. I try to rise above it, but I feel upset for Dillon. I know he feels embarrassed, and I worry what his friends think.”
The Road to Recovery: Progress, Setbacks, and Triumph
Pauline’s desire to reclaim her independence led her to seek help. She joined My 600-lb Life in 2014 and began working with renowned bariatric surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan—better known as Dr. Now.
When she first appeared on the show, Pauline weighed 643 pounds. Despite early struggles with the strict 1,200-calorie diet, she eventually shed 44 pounds—enough to qualify for gastric bypass surgery.
But her journey wasn’t easy. Pauline faced repeated setbacks. She struggled to stick with the program, often refused to leave her bed, and continued to sneak junk food. At one point, Dr. Now noted, “Her attitude is her biggest problem right now.”
Yet, over time, something changed.
A Stunning Transformation
Years later, through perseverance and major lifestyle changes, Pauline finally took control of her health. She lost an astonishing 500 pounds and underwent skin removal surgery, reaching her lowest weight in decades.
In January 2022, she resurfaced on Instagram to share her success:
“I’m proud to say that now I’m down to 223 pounds. It feels so great to not be reliant on someone else to do even the littlest things for me.”
Accompanied by images of her new, healthier physique, her message was one of triumph, empowerment, and hope.
Fans Rally Behind Pauline’s Incredible Journey
Inspired by her weight loss story, fans from around the world continue to rally behind Pauline, cheering her on through every hard-earned milestone.
“What an amazing transformation and inspiration you are—you look amazing!!” one supporter gushed. Another added, “Well done, you look so beautiful.” A third shared, “You look great! What an accomplishment!”
Pauline’s journey is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to take control of your health, no matter how daunting the road ahead may seem.
If you or someone you know is struggling with food addiction, what advice would you give them?
We’d love to hear your thoughts—your words could be the encouragement someone else needs to start their own transformation.
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