“My 600-lb Life” star Dolly Martinez has died at the age of 30. Her mother, Staci Thurman, revealed that Martinez passed away from congestive heart failure. According to her family, she was surrounded by loved ones at a Fort Worth hospital at the time of her death.
‘My 600-lb Life’ Star Dolly Martinez Dead At 30
Martinez had reportedly been battling ongoing health issues before seeking treatment on March 29.
According to TMZ, she arrived at the hospital with fluid around her heart and lungs. Her condition quickly worsened, leading doctors to place her in a medically induced coma, followed by a ventilator the next day.
Sadly, she did not recover.
Family Pays Tribute To ‘Beautiful Sister’
Following her passing, Martinez’s half-sister and best friend, Lindsey Cooper, shared an emotional tribute honoring her life.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of my beautiful sister, Dolly,” she wrote. “Dolly had the brightest personality. She could light up any room with her laughter, her kindness, and her loving spirit. She had a way of making everyone feel special, and her warmth will stay with us forever.”
She continued, “While our hearts are broken here, I find comfort in knowing she is now reunited with our dad in heaven. I can only imagine the joy of that reunion. Rest peacefully, Dolly. You will always be loved, always be missed, and never forgotten.”
Days earlier, Cooper had shared a heartbreaking update as Martinez fought for her life. “Today is National Siblings Day, and it for sure was a hard one. I haven’t made any post or let many [people] know, but my sister Dolly is in the hospital and is fighting for her life,” she said. “At this time, I ask for prayers and privacy as we, as a family, navigate through this hard time.”
Dolly Martinez Opened Up About Her Struggles On Television
Martinez first gained attention when she appeared on “My 600-lb Life” in 2022 at age 25, weighing 593 pounds and relying on oxygen. During her episode, she sought help from Dr. Now and managed to lose 40 pounds, though she ultimately did not qualify for weight-loss surgery.
She spoke candidly about her relationship with food and the emotional struggles behind it. “Food is the only thing powerful enough to distract me from darker thoughts. Food is my go-to drug that takes my pain away,” she said, adding it was “more than just a pleasure, it’s my reason for existing.”
“I can’t wait for the first bite of something that will make me forget about all the misery of my life,” she added. “Food has caused all of the things I hate about my life, but it’s the only thing I’ve ever had to make me feel good.”
Signs Of Progress Before Her Passing
In the years following her appearance, Martinez appeared to be working toward a better place. She shared updates on social media, noting improvements in her living situation and health.
“I can see how much I’m losing. It’s a journey, and I’m seeing my worth now,” she wrote in a June 2024 Instagram post.
Her bio also reflected a hopeful outlook, stating she was “living day by day” and that she loved “God and Family.”
Fans Mourn Dolly Martinez And Call For Compassion
Following the news of Dolly Martinez’s passing, tributes quickly poured in across X, with many expressing heartbreak and urging others to show kindness. “May your soul rest in peace and may God give her family the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss,” one user wrote.
Others reflected on the judgment often faced by reality TV stars, with one person posting, “R.I.P Dolly, this is sad to see, and for anyone been judgemental, grow up. You have no idea what challenges people go through in their life and how they can push you down such a painful path.”
Some fans emphasized the bigger picture, writing, “whatever you think about the show, a young woman lost her life. Rest easy, Dolly. Be kind, there are people reading who could be facing similar struggles.”
Another user added, “30… that just doesn’t feel right. Life can be so fragile sometimes.”