Entertainment mogul and TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey said she decided to exit the board of directors WeightWatchers — after nearly a decade — to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Last month, Winfrey announced that she will not stand for reelection to the board of WeightWatchers at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in May 2024. She has served on the company’s board since 2015 when she acquired a 10% stake in WeightWatchers.
On Thursday’s episode of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”,Winfrey explained that her decision to part ways with WeightWatchers was due to her desire to “be able to talk about whatever I want to talk about” regarding weight-loss issues. Her exit from the company’s board came after she revealed in 2023 that she was taking a weight-loss drug.
Winfrey has set an hour-long ABC primetime special, titled “An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution,” scheduled to air Monday, March 18. She recorded the special in front of a live studio audience and brought together medical experts to discuss weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy.
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Winfrey told Kimmel, “I decided [to leave the WeightWatchers board] because this special was really important to me, and I wanted to be able to talk about whatever I want to talk about.” WeightWatchers “is now in the business of being a weight-health company that also administers drug medications for weight. I did not want to have the appearance of any conflict of interest.”
Last year,WeightWatchers acquired Sequence, a telehealth subscription service providing access to healthcare providers who can prescribe weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, for $106 million.
As previously announced, Winfrey is donating her WeightWatchers shares to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. She told Kimmel she was gifting her stock in the company to the organization “so nobody can say, ‘Oh, she’s doing that [ABC] special, she’s making money, and promoting…’ No, you cannot say that.”
In December 2023, Winfrey told People she had decided to start taking a weight-loss medication (which she did not identify) after coming to the realization that weight management does not depend solely on a person’s self-control.
Winfrey owns about 1.1 million shares of WW International, representing a 1.43% stake in the company, according to data provider FactSet. At the current stock price, that’s worth $2.5 million. Her initial investment for 6.4 million shares of the company totaled $43.2 million.
In a statement last month, the WeightWatchers board of directors said it is “supportive of Ms. Winfrey’s proposal to donate all of her WW stock to the NMAAHC during the company’s upcoming trading window in March 2024. Ms. Winfrey is making the donation to support the NMAAHC’s goal to promote and highlight the contributions of African Americans and to eliminate any perceived conflict of interest around her taking weight-loss medications. In addition, Ms. Winfrey intends to donate the proceeds from any future exercises of her WW stock options to NMAAHC.”
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Winfrey told Kimmel, “I decided [to leave the WeightWatchers board] because this special was really important to me, and I wanted to be able to talk about whatever I want to talk about.” WeightWatchers “is now in the business of being a weight-health company that also administers drug medications for weight.
Why did Oprah Winfrey resign from the Board of WeightWatchers? ›
Oprah Winfrey resigned from the WeightWatchers board after almost 10 years to avoid a conflict of interest. During her appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" last week, Winfrey explained why she stepped down ahead of her upcoming special, "An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution."
Why did WeightWatchers drop Oprah Winfrey? ›
Oprah Winfrey has revealed why she left her nearly 10-year post as a WeightWatchers board member last month. Her resignation was motivated by her work on an upcoming TV special on the rise of prescription weight-loss drugs, she said during a Thursday appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
How did Oprah lose weight again? ›
How did Oprah lose weight? Winfrey has lost her latest weight using a weight-loss drug and with a healthy diet and exercising. She told People the weight-loss medication is just part of her regimen for maintaining a healthy weight. “I know everybody thought I was on it, but I worked so damn hard.
Did Oprah take Ozempic? ›
Winfrey, who in December admitted to using weight loss medication, empathized with the guests who shared why they turned to prescription medications such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, Victoza and Wegovy. "This is what I got for the first time after I took the medication.
What percentage of WeightWatchers is owned by Oprah? ›
The stock position instantly made Winfrey an owner of 14.79% of Weight Watchers, while diluting the ownership positions of other shareholders. But most were probably cheering along with Winfrey when the stock immediately more than doubled to close at $13.92.
Does Oprah still have WW stock? ›
According to WeightWatchers, Winfrey won't stand for reelection at the May 2024 shareholder meeting, and she will donate all her WeightWatchers stock to the National Museum of African American History and Culture during the company's open trading window next month.
Does WeightWatchers offer Ozempic? ›
Weightwatchers offers a lifestyle guidance program for those already taking anti-obesity meds prescribed from their own doctor. WeightWatchers members may also be eligible to receive Ozempic and Rybelsus and other Type 2 diabetes drugs often prescribed off label to treat obesity.
Why are they closing WeightWatchers? ›
WeightWatchers has made the decision to close or change the location of many in-person studios due to decreased attendance.
How did Kelly Clarkson lose weight so fast? ›
During an interview with “The View” host Whoopi Goldberg on Monday's “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Clarkson admitted to taking a weight loss drug to lose weight. In January, Clarkson told People magazine that diet and exercise helped her slim down. She made no mention of weight loss drugs.
Clarkson said the medication she is on, which she said is not Ozempic, is one "that aids in helping break down the sugar, which obviously my body doesn't do well."
Did Oprah get fired from WeightWatchers? ›
Oprah Winfrey opens up about exiting Weight Watchers after using weight loss drug. Oprah Winfrey is opening up about quitting the Weight Watchers board. Last month, Winfrey departed the company's board of directors after disclosing her use of weight loss medication in 2023.
How did Adele lose weight? ›
Adele lost 100lbs in 2 years
However, the singer revealed that she lost weight by consistently following a healthy routine consisting of a balanced diet and by incorporating strength training into her workout routine.
Are the Kardashians actually on Ozempic? ›
Not that there aren't some stars who have shared their experiences with the drug, including Chelsea Handler and Tracy Morgan. But other celebs—like Khloe Kardashian and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards—have vehemently denied assumptions that they are on Ozempic.
How much weight did people lose with Ozempic? ›
Bottom Line. Ozempic can reduce your appetite and may help you to lose some weight, but Ozempic is not approved by the FDA as a weight loss medicine. In clinical studies, patients lost on average 14 lbs (6.4 kg) over a 30 to 56 week period.
What happened to the founder of WeightWatchers? ›
Jean Evelyn Nidetch (October 12, 1923 – April 29, 2015) was an American businessperson and the founder of Weight Watchers. Brooklyn, New York, U.S. Parkland, Florida, U.S. She died on April 29, 2015, of natural causes at her home in Parkland, Florida, at the age of 91.
Who runs WeightWatchers now? ›
“As we focus our efforts on expanding care and expanding access to provide a full spectrum of comprehensive weight health offerings, Donna, Jacquie and Deb will play an essential role in shaping the future direction of the organization with their unique expertise and insights,” said Sima Sistani, CEO, WeightWatchers.
Does WW have a new CEO? ›
Sima SistaniChief Executive Officer, Director
Ms. Sistani has served as a director and our Chief Executive Officer since March 2022.
Who is Oprah Winfrey's husband? ›
Stedman Graham (born March 6, 1951) is an American educator, author, businessman, and public speaker. He is the long-term partner of Oprah Winfrey.
