'My 600-lb Life' Star Latonya Potain Dies at 40

The former reality television personality, whose health battle unfolded on-screen, has died following years of public and private struggles.

Latonya Pottain, known for her appearance on Season 11 of "My 600-lb Life," died on May 17 at CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. The 40-year-old's story resonated with viewers due to her candid revelations about the emotional and physical challenges she faced.

Pottain's death was officially reported on May 19. The Natchitoches Parish Coroner's Office confirmed that they did not perform an autopsy. They attributed the preliminary cause of death to natural causes, specifically congestive heart failure. Her family has already received her body from the funeral home.

She died just hours after spending the morning with several family members who had come to visit her. Her brother shared that she had been experiencing breathing difficulties and did not look well.

He revealed that Pottain had told the nurse she was feeling extremely uncomfortable. Her family later learned that she had personally called an ambulance after experiencing cardiac arrest, which ultimately caused her death.

Her family and friends are in charge of her funeral arrangements, and her online obituary asked others to pray for the family and included options to send flowers or contribute to the memorial fund.

Pottain's health complications had long been a matter of concern. According to The Sun, about a year before her death, she made a desperate plea to fans on Facebook, "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. [sic]"

Her time on the TLC reality show highlighted her deep struggles with food addiction and mental health. Though she hired a personal trainer in hopes of adhering to the program, she was unable to maintain consistent progress.

Furthermore, the reality personality often shared that eating helped ease her emotional burdens. She acknowledged that her eating habits were unhealthy and harmful. However, she found it difficult to change and felt disappointed in herself for her situation.

Pottain's battle extended beyond what was shown on television. In a GoFundMe campaign, she wrote candidly about her condition.

Since June 2024, she had been bedridden, and her weight was nearing 705 pounds. She explained that she once weighed 740 pounds and had worked to bring it down, but her physical and emotional health deteriorated over time.

After appearing on the show, she said the public backlash triggered a deep depression, making her fearful of undergoing surgery.

In 2023, she relocated to Houston with hopes of a new beginning. However, she instead became involved in an abusive relationship and received the difficult news of her father's cancer diagnosis.

This stress prompted her to return to Louisiana. There, her condition worsened, including severe sciatica nerve pain and stomach cramps.

She was prescribed medication, but her body rejected it, prompting her to begin therapy. Additionally, emergency medical technicians refused to transport her due to the fire hazard her weight posed.

Without the means to work or access special medical transportation, she asked for help from the public to cover medical transport, treatment, rehabilitation, and basic living expenses.

"This has been an incredibly difficult journey, and I truly want to fight for my health and my life," she wrote. Unfortunately, the goal of the campaign, which was $20,000, was never reached.

Her final social media post was uploaded in September 2024 and showed a photo of herself paired with a catchy song and floating heart effects. Since news of her death surfaced, people have been leaving tributes in her memory.

Many of these mourners had followed her public struggle through the reality series. TLC had posted a video about her weight loss journey in 2023, summarizing her years-long struggle. At 642 pounds, she had spent five years trying to commit to a weight-loss plan.

Her story touched on her difficult upbringing, losing her mother early, and being abandoned by her father. She shared on the show that she had long used food to cope.

During one emotional moment, she explained that she wanted to change because she hoped to start a family and live a normal life.

"I finally have a great support system with my family [...] and meeting [Duane], coming into my life has been a change because I know that he loved me [...] I just look forward to losing this weight because I want to get married. I want to have my own child, like, and start my own family and be normal," Pottain said.

In the video on YouTube, Dr. Younan Nowzaradan reminded her that she once weighed 482 pounds and had reached 631 pounds, and warned her that without serious intervention, her body would not be able to withstand the weight much longer.

He told her it was time for immediate change and emphasized that she needed to leave the motorized wheelchair and begin physical therapy.

He stressed that her body, although young, had endured too much and would soon begin to fail under the pressure.

Unfortunately, despite early signs of motivation, the doctor eventually informed her that he could no longer assist due to her inability to follow the structured weight-loss plan.

Pottain's story was one of painful honesty, perseverance, and a public plea for health, love, and support. This tragedy closes a heartbreaking chapter in a journey that resonated deeply with many who saw parts of themselves in her fight.