In 2012, Pauline Potter captured headlines across the world when she was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s heaviest woman. At the time, she weighed over 700 pounds, roughly the same as a full-grown female polar bear. But more than just a record, that title marked a turning point in her life—a wake-up call that eventually led to one of the most inspiring transformations in recent years.
Pauline first gained public attention in 2011 when she was awarded the title of the heaviest woman alive, weighing in at over 700 pounds (approximately 320 kilograms). While it may seem shocking to most, Pauline and her then-husband, Alex, embraced the title. In fact, she revealed that Alex, whom she met online and married on Valentine’s Day in 2003, was a major influence on her weight gain. “Alex encouraged me to eat whatever I wanted,” Pauline recalled in an interview. “He would prepare enormous meals—turkey, roast potatoes, spaghetti, French bread—and he’d load up my plate. Because he loved big women, I set a goal to reach 700 pounds to make myself even larger for him.”
Pauline described their relationship as deeply intimate and emotionally charged. “He used to bring home pudding and feed it to me,” she said. “It was a very loving gesture to him.” But not everyone saw their bond as affectionate. Dr. Chris Steele, a former resident doctor for ITV’s This Morning, expressed concern, stating that supporting such extreme obesity wasn’t love—it was dangerous. “At over 700 pounds, Pauline weighed significantly more than her age, and she was putting her life at serious risk. The potential health complications for someone at that weight are enormous.”
Despite the notoriety, Pauline was shocked when she learned Guinness had officially declared her the world’s fattest woman. As if that weren’t enough to process, her husband left her shortly after the announcement. She was left in the care of her 17-year-old son, Dillon, who became her full-time caregiver. Pauline’s physical condition had deteriorated to the point that she couldn’t even handle basic tasks without help. “I could only feed and wipe myself,” she admitted. Dillon had to assist her with mobility, shopping, and cleaning. She used a mobility scooter because she had outgrown her car, and even everyday hygiene became a monumental challenge.
To avoid infections in the folds of her skin, Pauline followed a meticulous routine. “I have a walk-in bath and sit on a stool with a flexible showerhead. I wash every day, dry off thoroughly, and apply cornstarch around my stomach and behind my knees,” she explained. “My son helps me with the areas I can’t reach.” Though she tried to maintain a positive outlook, the judgment from strangers still stung. “Occasionally I get nasty comments. I try to brush them off, but I feel bad for Dillon. I know he’s embarrassed, and I worry about what his friends might think.”
Determined to reclaim her independence and improve her health, Pauline decided to seek professional help. In 2014, she appeared on the TLC reality show My 600-lb Life. There, she began working with the well-known bariatric surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan—better known to viewers as “Dr. Now.” At the time of her first appearance, she weighed 643 pounds. The journey was anything but easy. Pauline initially struggled to follow Dr. Now’s strict 1,200-calorie daily diet and often resisted making changes. But with persistence, she began to make progress. After losing 44 pounds, she was finally approved for gastric bypass surgery.
The surgery marked a major milestone, but Pauline’s path was still filled with obstacles. Rather than continuing to lose weight steadily, she fell back into unhealthy habits. Dr. Now observed that her greatest challenge wasn’t physical—it was mental. “Her attitude is her biggest problem right now,” he said, pointing out that she frequently refused to leave her bed and continued eating junk food, despite medical advice.
Over time, however, Pauline began to turn things around. After years of struggle, she eventually lost 500 pounds. She underwent skin removal surgery and reached her lowest weight since beginning her transformation. In January 2022, she made her return to social media, posting on Instagram for the first time in what she called “a long time.” In her heartfelt post, she shared, “I’m proud to say that now I’m down to 223 pounds. It feels so great not having to rely on someone else for even the smallest things.”
The photos that accompanied her update showed a dramatically slimmer Pauline, glowing with pride and confidence. Her followers, inspired by her incredible journey, flooded the comments with encouragement and admiration. “What an amazing transformation and inspiration you are, you look amazing!!” wrote one fan. Another added, “Well done, you look so beautiful.” A third chimed in, “You look great! What an accomplishment!”
Pauline’s story is a powerful reminder that change is possible, no matter how difficult the journey may seem. Her battle with food addiction, physical limitations, and emotional pain has resonated with thousands of people across the world. And through her courage and determination, she’s shown that with the right support, anyone can turn their life around.
If you or someone you know is struggling with food addiction or extreme weight issues, Pauline’s story could be the hope that sparks action. What advice would you give to someone facing the same challenges? Share your thoughts and pass this story along—your voice could help someone take the first step toward a healthier life.
