Date of Birth: October 12, 1923
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Date of Death: April 29, 2015
Biography
Jean Nidetch was an American businesswoman best known as the co-founder of Weight Watchers, a global company that provides weight loss and fitness services. Born Jean Evelyn Slutsky in Brooklyn, New York, she struggled with weight issues from an early age. In 1961, after years of trying various diets and weight loss methods without long-term success, Jean attended a free obesity clinic sponsored by the New York City Board of Health. The support and group dynamic she experienced there inspired her to start her own weight loss group among friends in her apartment. The group quickly grew as friends invited friends, and the method of mutual support combined with a structured eating plan proved effective. This laid the groundwork for what would become Weight Watchers, officially founded in 1963 with the help of her husband Marty and businessman Al Lippert. The company expanded rapidly, first throughout the United States and then internationally, eventually becoming a household name in weight management. Jean Nidetch’s personal charisma and genuine desire to help others were instrumental in the company’s success. She remained actively involved with Weight Watchers until 1978, when she sold the company to the H.J. Heinz Company. Nidetch continued to be a motivational speaker and advocate for healthy living until her death in 2015.
5 Interesting Facts about Jean Nidetch
1. Jean Nidetch held the first Weight Watchers meeting in her living room in Queens, New York.
2. She lost 72 pounds by following the Weight Watchers plan herself, which was a significant factor in her credibility and success.
3. In 1978, she sold Weight Watchers to the H.J. Heinz Company for $71.2 million.
4. Jean was awarded the Horatio Alger Award in 1989 for her entrepreneurial spirit and significant impact on public health.
5. She wrote several books, including her autobiography “The Jean Nidetch Story,” sharing her journey and weight loss philosophy.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jean Nidetch
1. “It’s choice, not chance, that determines your destiny.”
2. “The scale does not define you. You are more than a number.”
3. “Success is built on the foundation of hard work and self-belief.”
4. “When you look in the mirror, see the person you want to be, not the person you are.”
5. “Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the time of selling Weight Watchers, Jean Nidetch’s net worth was estimated to be around $70 million.
Children
Jean Nidetch had two children: David and Richard Nidetch.
Relevant Links
1. [Jean Nidetch on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Nidetch
2. [Weight Watchers History](https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/our-history
5. [Weight Watchers Official Website](https://www.weightwatchers.com
