My 600lb Life star Latonya Pottain has died aged 40.
The reality TV figure, known for her appearance on the 11th season of the TLC series at a weight of 632lbs, passed away on Saturday, May 17 at CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana, according to TMZ.
The preliminary autopsy report found Pottain died from congestive heart failure.
Her brother mentioned that he and other relatives visited her home on Saturday morning and observed that she was experiencing breathing difficulties and mentioned feeling ‘extremely uncomfortable’. He noted that she didn’t appear healthy.
A nurse later informed Pottain’s brother that Pottain had contacted an ambulance to transport her to the hospital as she was suffering from cardiac arrest, which ultimately resulted in her passing.
Pottain first appeared on the show in 2023 when her weight had left her mostly bedbound.
In harrowing scenes Pottain proclaimed that food ‘took the stress away’ as her carer brought her breakfast in bed.
She said: ‘That’s what I do to help me cope with things.
‘I know the food is unhealthy and not good for me. But with the habit that I have for long, it’s hard to change it. I’m disappointed in myself for getting to this place.’
She had visited with the show’s Doctor Younan Nowzaradan five years prior when she was 482lbs but had left the weight loss program.
Despite vowing she was determined to change after battling with her weight her whole life, Pottain struggled with the strict new diet and was seen eating fried food – before gaining weight at her next weigh-in.
She was later hospitalized after falling ill, with Dr Now saying he was concerned about her heart.
On a controlled diet in the hospital, she was able to drop to 594lbs – but later memorably clashed with Dr Now over her dislike of the healthy hospital food.
Pottain said: ‘I haven’t really ate since I been here’ the Dr responded: ‘You’re not gonna fade away. You’re gonna be fine.’
Pottain said: ‘I still have to eat something’ with Dr Now retorting: ‘No, you’ve already eaten the food that belongs to the next four years ahead of time.’
He then told her that her heart and lungs were under immense pressure to her weight.
Last year Pottain took to Facebook to ask for prayers due to her heart issues.
She wrote: ‘Y’all pray for me my heart not working right and there is nothing more the doctors can do here in Louisiana please keep me lifted.’
This year she launched a GoFundMe to get urgent medical care – and revealed her weight was now more than 700lbs.
She wrote: ‘I’m currently getting close to my highest weight of 740 pounds and I worked extremely hard to get it down. Now I currently weigh about 705 pounds and have been bedridden since June 2024 due to severe health issues.
‘After the show aired, I experienced overwhelming backlash, which sent me into a deep depression. My mental health suffered, and I became fearful of undergoing weight loss surgery.
‘In 2023, I moved to Houston, hoping for a fresh start, but instead, I found myself in an abusive relationship while also dealing with the devastating news that my father had been diagnosed with cancer.
‘Unable to take the emotional and physical toll, I returned home to Louisiana. Unfortunately, my health continued to decline, and I developed severe sciatica nerve pain, which caused extreme stomach cramps. I was prescribed fentanyl, but my body rejected the medication, leading me to begin therapy.
‘Now, I am completely bedridden and unable to get to the hospital because EMTs say transporting me would be a fire hazard due to my weight. Without the ability to work, I have no income to purchase a car or arrange for special medical transportation.
‘I am asking for your help to raise funds for: Medical transportation so I can get to the hospital for urgent care
‘Proper medical treatment and rehabilitation to regain my mobility
‘Basic living expenses since I am currently unable to work
‘This has been an incredibly difficult journey, and I truly want to fight for my health and my life. Any amount you can contribute will bring me one step closer to the care I desperately need. If you are unable to donate, please share my story to help me get the assistance I need.’
The $20,000 appeal raised a little over $1000.
