Back in 2012, Pauline Potter made headlines after being crowned the world’s heaviest living woman by Guinness, tipping the scale at 700 pounds. But a decade later, on January 24, 2022, the now 61-year-old shocked fans with a stunning 500-pound weight loss.

Obesity continues to plague the U.S., with the CDC reporting over 42% of adults were obese in 2017–2018. For Pauline, the record wasn’t just a label—it was once a goal. Alongside her then-husband, Alex, she leaned into the title. He loved her size, and she kept growing to please him.

They married on Valentine’s Day in 2003, after meeting online. Alex, who weighed just 154 pounds, fed her large meals and encouraged her to gain. Pauline once admitted she pushed to hit 700 pounds just to keep him happy.

But doctors warned the lifestyle was dangerous. Dr. Chris Steele called it a health disaster, saying Pauline was risking her life. After the marriage crumbled, Pauline was left to rely on her teenage son, Dillon, for basic care—including help with hygiene and daily tasks.

Outside the house, things weren’t easier. She faced stares, cruel comments, and even people snapping photos as she rode her mobility scooter.

Despite it all, Pauline fought back. In 2022, she stunned followers by dropping down to 223 pounds. In a rare Instagram post, she celebrated her new independence, writing, “It feels so great not being reliant on someone else anymore.”

Fans flooded her page with love: “What an inspiration!” one wrote. Another chimed in, “You look amazing!”

From rock bottom to internet inspiration, Pauline’s story is a wild ride—and proof that comebacks can be bigger than the fall.