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Weight Watchers Founder Jean Nidetch Dies at 91

Jean Nidetch
Jean Nidetch, the founder of Weight Watchers, died at age 91 on April 29. Alan Diaz/AP Photo

Weight Watchers founder Jean Nidetch died at age 91 at her home in Parkland, Florida, on Wednesday, April 29, The New York Post reports.

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Nidetch was a New York housewife in the '60s, who weighed 214 pounds when she began addressing her weight problem. By designing and following her own diet regimen, she saw the weight start to fall off and began sharing her tips in group meetings. 

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At 5 foot 7 inches, Nidetch ultimately reached her goal weight of 142 pounds in 1962 and never went above 150 pounds again. She released a best-selling cookbook in 1968. In 1978, she sold Weight Watchers to H.J. Heinz Co. for $71 million.

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Today, even in a much more crowded marketplace, Weight Watchers is one of the biggest, most popular weight loss companies in the world and has featured stars like Jennifer Hudson, Jessica Simpson, Jenny McCarthy, and Charles Barkley as spokespeople.  

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When asked about giving up her favorite chocolate marshmallow cookies, Nidetch responded in her 2009 autobiography, "Why would I want to see that movie again?"

She is survived by her son, David. 

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