News Summary
Latonya Pottain, known from the reality TV show ‘My 600-Lb. Life,’ has died at 40 from congestive heart failure. Her struggles with weight loss and mental health were widely documented. Despite efforts to improve her health, she ultimately passed away after experiencing significant health challenges, highlighting the severe implications of obesity and the related mental health issues.
Shreveport, Louisiana – Latonya Pottain, a former star of the reality television show “My 600-Lb. Life,” has died at the age of 40 from congestive heart failure. She passed away on May 17, 2025, at Christus Highland Medical Center. The Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office has reported that the preliminary cause of her death was classified as acute on chronic congestive heart failure, identified as a natural cause, and no autopsy was performed.
Pottain had been receiving care at an inpatient medical rehabilitation facility prior to her transfer to the hospital. Family members visited her on the morning of her death, noting that she was experiencing difficulty breathing and seemed unwell. Reports indicate that she communicated feelings of extreme discomfort to her family. Following her distress, a nurse notified her family that an ambulance had to be called due to Pottain going into cardiac arrest.
The reality star’s struggles with weight were well-documented during her appearance on “My 600-Lb. Life.” At the beginning of her season, she weighed 531 pounds and managed to reduce her weight to 505 pounds throughout the course of the show. Despite her efforts, she encountered significant challenges, ultimately being dropped from the weight-loss program by Dr. Younan Nowzaradan for failing to meet requirements.
Following her television debut, Pottain faced considerable backlash, which contributed to severe depression and heightened anxiety regarding the prospect of weight loss surgery. In February 2025, she launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover her medical expenses as her health continued to deteriorate, revealing that she had become bedridden at approximately 705 pounds.
Pottain disclosed that the stigma associated with her weight deeply affected her mental health, leading her to rely heavily on food as a source of comfort after facing the loss of her mother at a young age. In an attempt to improve her life circumstances, she moved to Houston in 2023 for a fresh start. However, she ended up in an abusive relationship and returned to Louisiana as her health challenges continued to mount.
In addition to her weight-related issues, Pottain reported developing severe sciatica nerve pain and stomach cramps, which further complicated her health status. Her death adds her name to a growing list of cast members from “My 600-Lb. Life” who have tragically passed away, including other known figures such as Larry Myers Jr., Destinee LaShaee, James “LB” Bonner, and Coliesa McMillian.
Pottain’s family is currently in the process of finalizing funeral arrangements and has requested prayers and support from their community during this challenging time. As the shock of her passing reverberates among fans and loved ones, it serves as a somber reminder of the severe health issues that can accompany obesity and the broader impact of mental health on physical well-being.
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Additional Resources
- NBC News
- Wikipedia: My 600-lb Life
- TMZ
- Google Search: Latonya Pottain
- KTAL News
- Google Scholar: Latonya Pottain
- New York Post
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Latonya Pottain
- USA Today
- Google News: Latonya Pottain
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
