This is a very sad time for all My 600-Lb Life fans, as their favorite, Latonya Pottain, has tragically passed away. She was only 40 years old at the time of her passing. She gained widespread popularity after appearing on TLC’s famous My 600-Lb Life in 2022. The reality star unfortunately passed away on May 17. She was very young, and her fans are heartbroken by the news. So, how did Pottain die? What was the main reason behind her sudden and tragic passing?
Pottain always had weight issues and struggled to shed pounds for years. She first appeared on the TLC reality television show in 2022. The show followed the lives of obese individuals and how they tried to lose weight using diet and surgery. At the time, bariatric surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, known as Dr. Now, was helping her. He further gave her a target to lose 40 to 50 pounds. So, what went wrong?
My 600-Lb Life: Latonya Pottain’s Life Goals!
Latonya Pottain once shared her dreams in an interview with the Shreveport Times, showing just how full of life she really was. She planned to qualify for weight loss surgery and open a shelter called Guiding Light Group Home to support young girls facing family struggles. Unfortunately, she lost her brother, and the loss deeply affected her. It even briefly paused her weight loss journey.
After all the mishaps, she still kept going, working with a trainer, sticking to her diet, and moving closer to family for emotional support. Furthermore, Latonya also dreamed of a “big, awesome wedding,” which she later celebrated with her husband, Daune. At the time, she said her efforts were paying off, and she had begun making real progress.
My 600 Lb Life: How Did Latonya Pottain Pass Away?
Latonya Pottain had years of struggle with obesity and weight loss. The diva was extremely overweight and was trying to shed the extra kilos. In 2012, she started her weight loss journey and contacted Dr. Now for help. The doctor asked her to lose 40–50 pounds. If she could successfully lose that much, they would be able to conduct bypass surgery to help her lose more weight.
Latonya initially found success and lost about 48 pounds in two weeks. She followed the diet strictly and obeyed all restrictions. Unfortunately, she struggled to maintain momentum and couldn’t meet the requirements for surgery. Doctors warned her about the serious health risks if she continued living an unhealthy lifestyle. A GoFundMe campaign was also created on her behalf on February 5, 2025. She showed signs of improvement but continued to fight for her life until June 2024.
The fundraiser aimed to support her transportation and therapy so she could regain mobility. Latonya was at her worst, weighing around 740 pounds. She further revealed that after the show, she faced extreme backlash, which pushed her into depression. Her mental health deteriorated, and fear kept her from undergoing the surgery.
As for the cause of her death, Latonya passed away due to congestive heart failure, essentially a heart attack and cardiac arrest. During her time on the show, doctors warned that if she didn’t lose weight, her chronic heart issues could become life-threatening. Sadly, that became her reality. May her soul rest in peace and find eternal solace. Stay tuned to TV Season & Spoilers for more reality TV updates.