Robert Novak
In 2011, Pauline Potter became famous around the world when she set a Guinness World Record. She wasn’t famous for something fun or exciting—she was named the heaviest woman in the world, weighing more than 700 pounds (320 kilograms). While some people might think getting into the record books is cool, for Pauline, it marked the start of a tough and painful journey. She had to fight through physical, emotional, and mental challenges to change her life.
A Love Story Built Around Food
Pauline’s relationship with food wasn’t just about eating—it was connected to her marriage. She met Alex online, and the two got married on Valentine’s Day in 2003.
Alex loved that Pauline was bigger than most people and even encouraged her to gain more weight.
“Alex wanted me to eat whatever I wanted,” Pauline shared. “He would make huge meals like turkey with roast potatoes and fill my plate. Since he liked how big I was, I set a goal to reach 700 pounds to make him happy.”
Their life together revolved around food. “It was a very intimate thing,” Pauline explained. “He would cook spaghetti and bring home desserts like pudding to feed me. It felt like he was showing love.”
But doctors didn’t see it the same way. Dr. Chris Steele, a medical expert, had a warning:
“At 700 pounds, Pauline was putting her life in danger. Obesity at that level can cause serious health problems.”
From Fame to Isolation
Photo Credits – PA
Pauline’s life took a sudden turn when Guinness officially named her the “world’s fattest woman.” She was shocked by the attention, but things got worse when Alex suddenly left her.
Now, Pauline had to manage her life—and her health—with only the help of her teenage son, Dillon.
“I had to rely on Dillon for almost everything,” Pauline said. “I could only do a little to take care of myself. Dillon had to help me with things like moving around and even keeping clean.”
Simple tasks became huge challenges. “I have a walk-in bath with a stool and a shower head,” she said. “But it’s a lot of work. Because I have so many folds of skin, I can get infections if I’m not careful. I wash every day, dry myself, and use cornstarch to prevent irritation.”
Dillon was there to help. “He assists me when I can’t reach certain areas,” Pauline added, knowing that her situation was hard on him too.
Even going outside was tough. She needed a mobility scooter to move around, and Dillon often went with her on shopping trips. “Sometimes people say mean things,” Pauline shared. “I try to ignore them, but I worry about how Dillon feels. It’s not easy for him.”
A Turning Point: Seeking Help
Pauline knew she needed help if she wanted to live a better life. In 2014, she appeared on the TV show My 600-lb Life. On the show, she met Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, a bariatric surgeon known for helping people with extreme obesity.
At her first visit, Pauline weighed 643 pounds. Dr. Now put her on a strict 1,200-calorie diet. It wasn’t easy to follow, and she struggled at times. But she didn’t give up. After losing 44 pounds, she qualified for gastric bypass surgery—a procedure that would help her lose more weight.
Challenges After Surgery
Many people think weight loss surgery is a quick fix, but for Pauline, it wasn’t easy. After the surgery, she faced new problems.
She struggled to stick to a healthy diet and often ate junk food.
“Her attitude is her biggest challenge,” Dr. Now said during one of her follow-up visits.
Pauline didn’t like to exercise and sometimes stayed in bed all day, which slowed her progress. But Dr. Now kept pushing her, and Pauline’s desire to change kept her going.
A Life-Changing Transformation
After years of hard work and determination, Pauline took control of her health. She lost an incredible 500 pounds and even had surgery to remove the extra skin from her weight loss.
By January 2022, she reached her lowest weight—223 pounds. She shared her happiness on Instagram:
“I’m proud to say that now I’m down to 223 pounds. It feels amazing to no longer need help with simple tasks.”
She also posted pictures showing how much she had changed.
Support from Fans Around the World
Pauline’s journey inspired people everywhere. Fans flooded her social media with messages of encouragement.
“What an incredible transformation! You look amazing!” one fan wrote.
Another said, “You’re so beautiful! Well done!”
A third added, “What an accomplishment! You look great!”
Overcoming Food Addiction: Pauline’s Message
Pauline’s story shows how complicated food addiction can be. It also highlights how important it is to get help.
Her message to others struggling with similar challenges is simple:
“Take it one step at a time. Surround yourself with supportive people, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
Pauline’s journey proves that no matter how difficult things seem, change is possible if you work hard and stay determined.
What Would You Say?
If someone you know is struggling with food addiction, what advice would you give them? Share your thoughts and help spread Pauline’s story to inspire others who might be facing the same challenges.
