In 2012, Pauline Potter claimed the Guinness World Record as the world’s heaviest woman, weighing over 700 pounds (320 kg)—about as much as a full-grown polar bear.
The 61-year-old, known from My 600-lb Life, later stunned fans with a dramatic transformation. Potter said her ex-husband Alex encouraged her to eat excessively, feeding her large meals and sweets because he loved her size. “I set a goal to reach 700 pounds to make sure I was even bigger for him,” she admitted.
But her extreme weight left her almost immobile and dependent on her teenage son, Dillon, for basic care. “My son has to help me when there are areas I can’t reach,” she said, adding that she faced constant health struggles and public ridicule.
Determined to change, Potter joined TLC’s My 600-lb Life in 2014, working with bariatric surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan. Starting at 643 pounds, she initially struggled with Dr. Now’s 1,200-calorie diet but eventually lost enough weight for gastric bypass surgery.
Though setbacks followed, Potter persevered and ultimately shed 500 pounds, later undergoing skin removal surgery. In 2022, she proudly shared that she had reached 223 pounds, writing, “It feels so great not to rely on someone else for even the littlest things.”
Fans continue to celebrate her remarkable transformation, calling her an inspiration and praising her strength and determination.