The well-known TV show, *My 600-lb Life*, has seen a tragic number of its participants pass away, with 17 individuals having died since their appearance on the series. The show, which first aired in 2012 on TLC, follows people dealing with severe obesity as they work to lose weight and improve their health.
Over the course of 13 seasons, which wrapped up earlier this year, viewers have followed the journeys of many participants as they strive for better health. Some have achieved remarkable transformations, shedding significant weight and regaining autonomy, often with the guidance of the show’s weight loss expert, Dr. Younan Nowzaradan. The compelling nature of these stories has led to additional spin-offs, like *Where Are They Now?*
Despite the successes, a number of cast members have succumbed to health complications related to their obesity, with Pauline Potter being the most recent to pass away this November.
In the first season, Henry, a 47-year-old from Houston, made an impression with his 715-pound frame. While he successfully lost more than half his weight and underwent gastric bypass surgery, he tragically passed away at age 54 in 2013 after a medical incident while driving.
Another participant from season one, Ashley, died at 40 in October 2021 due to sepsis. She had initially thrived after her surgery and lost over 250 pounds, but gained some weight back by a follow-up episode in 2016.
Pauline Potter appeared in season three and was once titled the heaviest woman alive by the Guinness Book of Records. Her weight loss journey was significant, as she shed more than 500 pounds. However, she passed away on November 27, following a car crash and other health issues.
Laura, from season three, also lost a considerable amount of weight, dropping from nearly 600 pounds to 182 pounds. She died unexpectedly at 48 in November 2021.
Sean, one of the youngest and heaviest participants, appeared in season four. He faced severe challenges, including gaining weight initially before eventually losing 455 pounds. Sadly, Sean died of infection-related complications at 29 in 2019.
James from Nashville was featured in season five and struggled with his weight, gaining more during the show. He died in 2020 at 49 due to health complications.
Renee, a season six participant, shared her story of abuse and coping through overeating. She passed away at 56 in May 2021 after losing a significant amount of weight.
L.B., also from season six, experienced a mental health setback after his episode aired and died by suicide at 30. His family filed a lawsuit against the show’s production company, which was later dismissed.
Lisa, another participant from season six, attributed her weight issues to grief and trauma. She passed away at 50 shortly after filming.
Robert, featured in the same season, struggled with compulsive eating and painkiller addiction. His story was compounded by health issues such as lymphedema, making for a challenging journey.