After nearly a decade of involvement, Oprah Winfrey has stepped down from the board of WeightWatchers, citing the need to avoid a potential conflict of interest.
The media titan made this revelation during her recent appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" where she discussed her forthcoming special, "An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution."
Winfrey stated, "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." She further explained that WeightWatchers has evolved into a weight-health company that also prescribes weight-related medications. "I did not want to have the appearance of any conflict of interest," she added.
Upon her resignation, Winfrey donated all her shares to the National Museum of African American History. She emphasized, "So nobody can say Oh, shes doing that special, shes making money, promoting [it], no, you cannot say that."
The upcoming special, which will be aired on ABC, marks Winfrey's first in 13 years. It follows her disclosure last year that she had been using weight-loss medication. Speaking to People in December, Winfrey confessed, "I realized Id been blaming myself all these years for being overweight, and I have a predisposition that no amount of willpower is going to control. Obesity is a disease. Its not about willpower it's about the brain."
Winfrey's decision to use weight-loss medication and her candidness about it have elicited mixed reactions, particularly given her role as an ambassador for WeightWatchers (WW) since 2017. She joined the board in 2015 after acquiring a 10% stake in the company.
Her departure was first announced in February in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing stated that Winfrey had informed the chairman of WW International Inc.'s board of directors "that she would not be standing for re-election as a member of the Board at the Company's 2024 annual meeting of shareholders," currently scheduled for May 9. Following this announcement, WeightWatchers shares plummeted by 20%.
Despite her resignation, Winfrey expressed her commitment to continue advising and collaborating with WeightWatchers and its CEO, Sima Sistani. She stated, "I look forward to...working to reduce stigma, and advocating for health equity."
Winfrey, who has been candid about her weight struggles throughout her career, decided to use weight-loss medication following a painful knee surgery. She made a promise, saying, "God, if you let me walk again, I promise I will get myself in shape, I promise I will use my body to the highest possible good for myself and my health."
"An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame and the Weight Loss Revolution" is set to air on Monday, March 18, on ABC, and will be available on Hulu the following day.
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