Suvechha Sarkar
Margaret or Margret Johnson’s inspirational weight-loss journey is continued in season 9, episode 5 of TLC’s ‘My 600-lb Life: Where Are They Now?’ Her complicated relationship with food began when she was 6 years old. She had said that she faced a painful childhood because she had to allegedly endure abuse from her father. Hence, food became her comfort and escape, which over time turned into an addiction. By age 35, she weighed over 750 lbs and relied heavily on her mother to care for her. When Margaret realized she could no longer live like that, she sought help from Dr. Nowzaradan. She lost significant weight within the first two months, dropping to 632 lbs. The doctor then suggested that she should start psychotherapy with her mother and commit to physical therapy.
Margaret Johnson’s Journey Faltered as She Stepped Away from the Program
Margaret Johnson’s determination began to show results as the months passed. She continued to stick to therapy, a strict diet, and exercise. By her next appointment with Dr. Nowzaradan, she had brought her weight down to 595 lbs. The doctor asked her to lose weight, and when she reached 516 lbs, she was approved for weight loss surgery. Although the procedure was successful, the road grew difficult when she returned home. Margaret missed several follow-up appointments, and she was again admitted to the hospital. Dr. Nowzaradan learned that instead of losing, her weight went back up to 548 lbs. Apart from not exercising properly and skipping physical therapy, her recurring leg infection added another hurdle to her fight. However, a year and two months into the weight loss program, Margaret again brought her weight down to 505 lbs.
Dr. Nowzaradan cautioned Margaret that everything she had worked hard for would crumble unless she changed her mindset. The stress of the process in the hospital sometimes boiled over as she clashed with nurses and refused to take physical therapy. Yet slowly, she began to cooperate again. By the one-year and four-month mark, Margaret had shed 287 lbs, bringing her weight down to 463.2 lbs. The doctor then gave her a goal to lose another 40 to 50 lbs within two months. He had also mentioned that if the scale read below 300 lbs, he would approve her for the skin removal surgery. Around 22 months into the journey, Dr. Nowzaradan disclosed that he hadn’t heard from Margaret or her mother for months. A final update revealed that the former had decided to no longer continue with the program.
Margaret Maintains a Minimal Social Presence and is Private About Her Health
From the beginning, Margaret Johnson dreamt of no longer needing the help of her mother, Millie, and building an independent life. She completed her studies at Fouke High School in Arkansas. On her previous appearance on ‘My 600-lb Life,’ the reality star had shared that she tried looking for jobs, but all her efforts were in vain. By the time she turned 20, her weight had gone up to the point that she was forced to file for disability. It ultimately left Margaret unable to work. Following the conclusion of her journey on the show, she has taken to social media to build her own community. She is mainly active on Facebook and maintains a profile with more than 1.5K friends. Unlike many of her co-stars who frequently update their fans on their progress, Margaret has kept her progress more private.
In February 2022, Margaret took her birthday as an opportunity to organize a fundraiser to donate all the collections to the non-profit organization, Arkansas Children’s. On her birthday in February 2025, she took to Facebook once again, but this time, she invited her fans to send her money through Cash App. Margaret also utilizes her social media presence to raise awareness of the condition of Holoprosencephaly. In March, she shared a picture of herself seemingly in the hospital. It led to an outpouring of love and well-wishes from fans, hoping and praying for her well-being. Although Margaret hasn’t shared much information on her weight loss and professional trajectory, it appears that she has been trying her best to stay on the right track.
Margaret Leads a Quiet Yet Hopeful Life Surrounded by Loved Ones
Margaret Johnson is originally from Doddridge, Arkansas, but currently resides in Baytown, Texas. Through everything, her family has remained an anchor in her life, especially her elder sister, Tiffani, and mother, Millie. However, her relationship with her sister has been kept under wraps. On the other hand, Millie has always served as a cornerstone of Margaret’s journey. When the reality star struggled to move around and needed help with her daily chores, her mother always stepped in for her. Millie even took her to Dr. Nowzaradan’s appointments and wanted her daughter to take control of her own life. At one point, the doctor mentioned that her dynamic with Margaret might hinder the latter’s progress.
Therefore, Millie applied careful consideration and pivoted to help Margaret stay accountable. Her mother never shies away from showcasing her love for her daughter. It is further highlighted by the fact that Millie recently expressed, “Love You” with an endearing sticker on one of the pictures that Margaret had shared. Apart from that, the reality star’s zeal to raise awareness for Holoprosencephaly seems to stem from her love for a younger member of her family, who also faces it. Although her dynamic with the beautiful young girl is unclear, we believe Margaret is quite affectionate towards her.
It appears that in February 2025, Margaret and her family may have lost a loved one. She shared a picture of the person, in which people expressed their condolences. It seems that she expressed grief over the matter by sharing emotional songs dedicated to her loved one with his photos. Despite the hurdles, Margaret always makes sure to face everything head-on. In her free time, the reality star immerses herself in music and enjoys gaming. Although she has shielded her personal life from the limelight, her current updates reflect resilience and the hope that she will continue pursuing health and happiness on her own terms.
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