Charity Pierce, woman who weighed 353 kg, dies

According to statistics, one in eight people in the world suffers from obesity. But for some, it«s just a few extra kilograms due to remote work and a love for pasta and pies, while for others, the situation is critical. One such person was Charity Pierce. In 2013, she participated in a weight loss show, and her weight was then 353 kilograms (778 pounds).

“I Can Never Get Full”

Charity was never thin. She grew up in a dysfunctional family where she constantly witnessed violence and cruelty. The only thing she could do without fear of punishment was eat at night when everyone was asleep and couldn«t stop her.

“I had a difficult childhood. My father drank a lot. I was afraid of him. I remember hiding before he came home; he would throw dishes from the sideboard and give out cuffs. At that time, my life consisted only of fear. Every evening when he fell asleep, I would sneak into the kitchen and comfort myself with food,” Charity recalled on the show «I Weigh 300 Kg» (18+).

Even after Pierce grew up and moved away from her family, her craving for food did not disappear. Every problem and failure was drowned in a burger or fatty potatoes. Whether she lost her job, found out her mother had cancer, or was left alone with a child—food became the means to avoid falling into despair.

“I eat too much. I can never get full,” the American woman admitted.

By age 39, her weight reached a critical mark—353 kilograms (778 pounds). Additional problems were added by non-healing ulcers on her body and lymphedema, which caused huge tumors.

Lymphedema is a disease where fluid accumulates in the tissues, causing persistent swelling in the legs or arms.

“I use a portable toilet because a regular toilet simply wouldn«t withstand my weight,” Pierce said with tears in her eyes.

“I«m Ashamed of My Body”

Charity contacted the project creators in 2012. She said that due to her illnesses, she could hardly do anything on her own.

“I«m ashamed of my body. I don»t want anyone to see it. I«m too different from others, and it embarrasses me. I know I look like a freak. Inside I»m a normal person, but when I look in the mirror, I see a monster. I«d rather die than live like this,” Pierce cried for help.

During the filming of the program, it turned out that the situation was so advanced that Charity could not come to the appointment herself, like other heroines. She had to call an ambulance and a team of doctors who put her on a gurney and took her to the clinic.

The option where the heroine only comes for an appointment once every few months, and the rest of the time lives in a separate rented house or apartment with loved ones, was also excluded. Pierce was immediately hospitalized and put on a strict diet—1000 calories a day and no sweets or flour. All so that in a short time she could lose 20 kilograms (44 pounds) and qualify for stomach reduction surgery.

“The only thing that can save my life is gastric bypass surgery. But I«m a single mother on disability, and I have no one to rely on but myself,” she repeated to herself to avoid breaking down.

Charity dreamed of losing weight not only for herself. She wanted to eventually marry her 20-year-old boyfriend, who had cared for her for many years.

“I want to be able to walk down the aisle,” Charity said about her cherished desire.

After two months in the hospital, the heroine of the program managed to lose the required number of kilograms, and she successfully underwent the operation. But this was only the beginning of the journey. Doctors directed her to recover and continue to lose another 20 kilograms (44 pounds) to get rid of excess skin.

At home, Charity struggled to incorporate new eating habits into her life. During filming, terrible news hit the woman—her mother, who had been ill with cancer for a long time, died. As always in her life, to somehow cope with grief, Pierce started eating again.

“I cope with temptation when everything is good. But now it«s too difficult. I can»t imagine how I can change everything. I want to keep losing weight, but at the moment it«s very hard,” Pierce justified her relapses.

Despite the grief, the heroine still managed to pull herself together and lost weight—though only 8 kilograms (18 pounds). After that, she underwent an operation, removed 26 kilograms (57 pounds) of fatty tumors, and was sent on her own.

“I Found Out I Have Kidney Cancer”

After the project, weighing only about 200 kilograms (441 pounds), Charity hoped to establish and strengthen her personal life, but instead she had a new shock—her young suitor left for her own sister. As before, stress pushed Pierce towards food. She did not give in to temptation, but did not find a safe alternative to endless snacking. Instead, she turned to alcohol.

Due to alcohol dependence, her relationship with her only daughter deteriorated, who had lived with her and helped until Pierce could not take care of herself.

In 2020, Charity wrote in her blog that she had fallen ill with cancer:

“At Christmas, I found out that I have kidney cancer. It shocked me because my mother died from brain cancer. Since Christmas, I have experienced severe anxiety and often faint. The next step was to remove my kidney as soon as possible, before the disease spread to other organs.”

In the spring, Charity underwent kidney removal surgery and began treatment. Due to the illness, she lost a lot of weight and weighed about 100 kilograms (220 pounds). This time became a turning point in her life: she was able to reconcile with her daughter, who had recently given birth to a child.

In her last years, Charity was most often with her grandson, to whom she wanted to give all the love she had not received herself. At the end of January, Pierce«s daughter reported that her mother had died.

“I didn«t intend to write about this. But from the calls and messages, my head is spinning. Almost all close relatives know that my mother died today. She is now with her mom, brother, and sister and has finally found peace. Mom, fly high. I hope you know how much I love you and how grateful I am to have been with you when you took your last breath,” Charlie Jo wrote on her social networks.