‘My 600-Lb. Life’ Star Latonya Pottain Dies at 40 — Family Speaks Out Amid Health Struggles and Heartbreaking Final Days.
Reality TV fans are mourning the sudden death of Latonya Pottain, the Season 11 alum of My 600-Lb. Life, who passed away on May 17, 2025, at just 40 years old. Known for her honesty, resilience, and complex relationship with weight, Latonya left a deep impact on viewers—even as she privately battled unimaginable struggles.
The Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office confirmed Latonya died at Christus Highland Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana, after suffering what was described as a “medical event” while under care at a rehab facility. Emergency crews transported her to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead just before 10:30 p.m.
According to her family, Latonya had been visibly unwell earlier that day—she was reportedly struggling to breathe and appeared “extremely uncomfortable.” Hours later, the family got the call: she’d gone into cardiac arrest.
A Life of Struggle—and Hope
Latonya’s health battle was ongoing and brutal. Earlier this year, she shared via GoFundMe that she was nearing her highest weight ever—740 pounds—and was fully bedridden due to severe health complications. In her own words, she had been “fighting to survive.”
She described how an abusive relationship after filming the show derailed her recovery. “After the show aired, I experienced overwhelming backlash, which sent me into a deep depression,” she wrote, adding that she became fearful of pursuing the weight loss surgery that could’ve saved her life.
Latonya was also dealing with excruciating sciatica pain and adverse reactions to fentanyl. Yet she still wanted to fight. “This has been an incredibly difficult journey,” she said. “Any amount you can contribute will bring me one step closer to the care I desperately need.”
It’s heartbreaking to think she never made it to that next step.
From TLC to TikTok: Latonya’s Journey
Fans were first introduced to Latonya in 2023. Her journey on My 600-Lb. Life wasn’t an easy one—Dr. Now famously refused to proceed with surgery after repeated setbacks. Still, she remained transparent about her mental health and addiction to food, often saying that eating “was the only way to cope.”
After the show, Latonya stayed connected with fans through TikTok and Facebook, sharing updates, setbacks, and glimpses of her fight to regain control of her health. Just a year ago, she posted a chilling message on Facebook: “Y’all pray for me. My heart not working right and there is nothing more the doctors can do here in Louisiana.”
Tragically, that message now feels like a quiet farewell.
A Familiar Tragedy in the ‘600-Lb.’ Community
Latonya’s passing joins a growing list of My 600-Lb. Life stars who’ve died far too young. The show has long faced criticism for spotlighting extreme cases without offering long-term support. While fans are left grieving, many are also questioning whether more could’ve been done.
“Her story was more than a cautionary tale—it was a cry for help,” one viewer wrote on Reddit. “She deserved more than a GoFundMe and a few reality show check-ins.”
✅ Correct PAA for Latonya Pottain Article Should Include:
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How did Latonya Pottain from My 600-Lb. Life die?
She died of congestive heart failure after experiencing a medical emergency at a rehab facility. -
Was Latonya Pottain still trying to lose weight?
Yes, she shared on social media and GoFundMe that she was bedridden and still fighting for her health in 2025. -
What episode of My 600-Lb. Life was Latonya Pottain in?
She appeared in Season 11, which aired in 2023. -
Did Latonya Pottain ever get weight loss surgery?
No, Dr. Nowzaradan withheld surgery due to her inability to lose enough weight to qualify safely.
