Charity Pierce, best known for her appearance on “My 600-lb Life,” passed away at 50, after spending roughly two months in hospice care. Pierce’s demise was announced by her daughter, Charly Jo, on January 27, 2026.
In a heartfelt post, Charly Jo confirmed her mother’s peaceful passing at 1:20 AM, adding that Pierce is now with her family members who predeceased her. Charly Jo wrote, “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.”
Pierce, a resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, had been dealing with severe health issues including lymphedema and fluid buildup in her lungs. She was diagnosed with kidney cancer in December 2019 and underwent kidney removal surgery in March 2020. However, the cause of her death has not been officially declared.
Pierce gained nationwide recognition when she featured on the third season of “My 600-lb Life” in 2015, weighing 778 pounds at the age of 39. Her struggle to overcome obesity under the supervision of Houston-based bariatric surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan was a widely discussed subject among viewers.
Pierce’s weight issues began in her early teenage years, attributable to a troubled childhood. By the time she sought medical intervention, she was housebound due to massive swelling in her left leg caused by lymphedema. “I would rather die than live this way,” Pierce stated during her first appearance on the show.
With the encouragement of her fiancé Tony Sauer, Pierce started her journey towards a healthier life. She reduced her daily caloric intake from an alarming 10,000 calories to just 1,200 and included daily exercise in her routine.
Within a year, Pierce lost 282 pounds, earning her a spot on “My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now?” Following weight loss surgery and multiple skin removal procedures, including removal of 38 pounds of excess skin from her stomach and 57 pounds of fluid and fat from her leg, Pierce regained her mobility and independence.
However, her journey was not without setbacks. Pierce developed a severe infection following one of her skin removal surgeries, which required immediate medical attention to prevent septic shock. Dr. Nowzaradan performed emergency surgery to treat 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.”
In addition to physical complications, Pierce faced emotional trials. She was unable to attend her mother’s funeral as she was recovering from gastric bypass surgery. Furthermore, her fiancé Tony was found to be in a relationship with her sister, which led her to seek solace in food, alcohol, and cigarettes. Despite these obstacles, Pierce remained committed to her progress.
“I don’t want to go back to the way I was, where I was trapped in one room in my apartment all day, every day,” Pierce expressed. By the end of the 2020 episode of “Where Are They Now,” she weighed less than 300 pounds.
In her post, Charly Jo expressed gratitude for being able to spend her mother’s final moments by her side. She wrote, “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,” alongside a photo holding her mother’s hand.
Pierce’s story of battling obesity, trauma, and health complications touched millions of viewers. Her straightforward portrayal of the physical and emotional toll of extreme weight loss made her a memorable participant on the show. She leaves behind her daughter Charly Jo and her two grandchildren.
Despite her health challenges in recent years, including her battle with kidney cancer, Pierce continued to inspire others with her resilience and determination. Her passing is a significant loss for the reality television industry, as she demonstrated that transformation is possible even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.