Weight Watchers founder, Jean Nidetch, has passed away at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy of combining a healthy diet with community support. The premise behind her weight loss program was accountability.
Nidetch died on Wednesday at her home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and is survived by one son.
ABC reports Nidetch officially launched Weight Watchers in 1963 after realizing she needed to lose weight herself but had no luck with fad diets.
She started it with holding meetings at her home in Queens, New York and recognized the potential the format could have in inspiring others to lose weight. She lost 70 pounds with the program.
CNN notes her philosophy was "It's choice -- not chance -- that determines your destiny."
She sold the company in 1978 to H.J. Heinz Co. for around $71 million.
Jim Chambers, president and CEO Weight Watchers International, called Nidetch “an inspiration and an innovator who leaves behind a legacy and program that has positively impacted the health and well-being of millions of people around the world.”
In loving memory of our founder, Jean Nidetch, who taught us that “It’s choice – not chance – that determines your...
Posted by Weight Watchers on Wednesday, April 29, 2015
image via Facebook from Weight Watchers