The entertainment world is mourning the loss of a beloved reality television personality, as Charity Pierce, who gained fame on TLC's transformative series My 600-lb Life, has died at the age of 50. Her daughter, Charly Jo, confirmed the heartbreaking news this week through an emotional social media tribute, revealing that Charity passed away while surrounded by her closest family members.
Daughter's Heartbreaking Tribute
In a poignant Facebook post that has since drawn an outpouring of condolences from fans and fellow reality stars alike, Charly Jo shared the devastating update about her mother's passing. "My mom passed away today," she wrote alongside a touching photograph showing her holding her mother's hand. "She's up there with her momma and brother and sister, and she's finally at peace. Charity fly high, momma."
Charly's message continued with profound personal reflection, stating: "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." The family has indicated that Charity had been receiving hospice care for approximately one to two months prior to her death, battling complex medical conditions that included significant lymphedema and dangerous fluid accumulation in her lungs.
A Public Journey with Health Struggles
Charity Pierce first captured the attention of television audiences during the third season of My 600-lb Life, where she courageously documented her struggle with severe obesity, food addiction, and deep-seated emotional trauma. At her peak weight, she approached 800 pounds before seeking professional medical intervention through the show's programme.
Remarkable Transformation and Ongoing Challenges
Her journey on the series was marked by notable achievements, including substantial weight loss followed by skin removal surgery. However, as documented in a subsequent Where Are They Now? special, Charity faced significant setbacks with post-surgical infections and persistent health complications that continued to impact her quality of life.
In recent years, the reality star had been openly transparent with her followers about additional serious health diagnoses. In a 2020 Facebook update, Charity revealed she had been diagnosed with kidney cancer, a discovery that she described as particularly devastating given that her own mother had previously died from brain cancer.
"To update everyone.. I found out at Christmas time that I have kidney cancer," she wrote. "It devastated me bc my mom passed away from brain cancer. So, since Christmas, I've had high anxiety and lots of panic attacks."
Medical Treatment and Personal Heartbreak
Following extensive testing, doctors determined the cancer was confined to one kidney, which was surgically removed on March 2 of that year. During her recovery from this procedure, Charity faced the additional emotional burden of being unable to visit her ailing mother or attend her funeral due to her own health limitations following gastric bypass surgery.
She had expressed hope for better days ahead, posting: "And now I'm recovering at home, trying to heal. I just hope the future has something good in store." According to sources close to the situation, the combination of lymphedema, pulmonary fluid buildup, and her cancer history ultimately contributed to her declining health in recent months.
Legacy of a Reality TV Pioneer
Charity Pierce's appearance on My 600-lb Life resonated deeply with viewers who followed her raw, unfiltered journey toward better health. Her willingness to share both triumphs and struggles created a genuine connection with audiences that has made her passing particularly impactful within the reality television community.
While no official cause of death has been formally released by medical authorities or family representatives, the combination of conditions she publicly battled—including kidney cancer, chronic lymphedema, and respiratory complications—paints a picture of the immense health challenges she faced in her final years. Tributes continue to pour in from co-stars, production crew members, and devoted fans who remember her courage in sharing such a personal transformation with the world.
