Charity Pierce, noted for her appearance on the reality TV show “My 600-lb Life,” has passed away. Pierce, who was on the show due to her battle with obesity, died at 50 after being in hospice care for about two months.
On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Charly Jo, Pierce’s daughter, confirmed her mother’s death. She stated that Pierce died peacefully at 1:20 AM, surrounded by loved ones.
“Almost all immediate family knows so, my mom passed away today. She’s up with her momma and brother and sister and she’s finally at peace,” Charly Jo wrote.
Pierce, who was known to the public through the TLC network, had been dealing with severe health issues, including lymphedema and fluid buildup in the lungs. She also battled kidney cancer, which was diagnosed in December 2019 and necessitated a kidney removal in March 2020.
The Iowa resident, who weighed 778 pounds at the age of 39, made her first appearance on the third season of “My 600-lb Life” in 2015. Under the guidance of Houston-based bariatric surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, she began her weight loss journey.
Pierce had been battling obesity since her early teens, a struggle that was rooted in a troubled childhood. At the time she sought help, she was confined to her house due to the immense swelling in her left leg caused by lymphedema.
“I would rather die than live this way,” Pierce said during her initial appearance on the show.
With the encouragement of her fiancé Tony Sauer, Pierce embarked on a transformative journey, reducing her daily caloric intake from 10,000 to 1,200 and incorporating exercise into her daily routine.
Within the first year, Pierce managed to lose 282 pounds. After undergoing weight loss surgery and multiple skin removal procedures, she regained the independence that she had previously lost due to her weight.
However, the journey was not without its difficulties. Following one of the skin removal procedures, Pierce developed a serious infection that required emergency treatment. Dr. Nowzaradan stepped in to perform the necessary surgery to clear the infection.
“Losing weight has been a lot harder than I ever expected,” she said on the show. “Since I’ve lost so much weight, the excess skin on my stomach has been causing a lot of problems. I’ve been getting a lot of cellulitis infections.”
Pierce’s journey was not just marked by physical challenges. She was unable to attend her mother’s funeral due to her recovery from gastric bypass surgery. This loss added an emotional burden to an already challenging experience.
Pierce also faced personal betrayal when she discovered her fiancé Tony had started a relationship with her sister. Despite these hurdles, Pierce remained steadfast in her commitment to her health and well-being.
By the end of the 2020 episode “Where Are They Now,” Pierce’s weight had dropped below 300 lbs.
Charly Jo expressed gratitude for being able to be with her mother during her last moments. “Charity fly high momma. I hope you know how much I love you and how grateful I was to be able to be by your side while you took your last breath,” she wrote alongside a photo holding her mother’s hand.
Millions of viewers were touched by Pierce’s story, as she openly shared her struggles with obesity, trauma, and medical complications. She left behind two grandchildren, the children of her daughter Charly Jo.
Despite her ongoing health challenges, including her battle with kidney cancer, Pierce’s resilience and determination continued to inspire many. Her passing marks the loss of a reality television personality who demonstrated the possibility of transformation, even in the face of daunting odds.
