In 2011, Guinness confirmed Pauline Potter as the world’s heaviest living woman: 291,6 kilos.
For almost anyone, a record is a source of pride. For her, it was a desperate measure. She wanted the world to see her, because she believed that was the only way someone would lend her a hand.
She lived in California, and after her legs swelled, she could no longer walk. She got around on a scooter. Some days, she couldn’t manage to get dressed by herself.
In 2015, she appeared on My 600-lb Life. She weighed almost 317 kilos and had stomach surgery. Recovery was tough, but she didn’t give up. Years later, she posted a photo of herself having lost a few kilos. She had lost about 147 kilos and regained something greater than weight: the certainty that she could change.
Of everything said about her, there’s one quote we couldn’t confirm. The one saying she found out about the record and was in shock. It’s not verbatim, and it’s not hers unless someone proves it. The only thing that’s certain is that she sought that attention. And she used it to begin.
In January 2025, a car accident on a dark California road left her with broken ribs and a deep wound in her leg. By June, she could no longer keep food down. In August, tests showed an obstruction in her esophagus. She also battled COVID-19. She spent months in hospitals and rehabilitation.
On November 27, 2025, Thanksgiving Day, Pauline died. She was 62 years old. Her son Dillon, who cared for her until the end, shared the news in a video.
She asked the world to see her so she could get back on her feet. She did. And she passed away knowing she had tried everything.
