Oprah Winfrey exits WeightWatchers board, will donate stock to African American history museum

Oprah Winfrey announced that she is parting ways with Weight Watchers’ board of directors and donating her shares to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

The media mogul and former talk show host first joined WW International’s board of directors in 2015, before launching a high-profile marketing campaign in 2020 as spokesperson for the weight loss and management company.

In a statement released Wednesday, Winfrey said she would “continue to advise and work with” brands and their leaders to “recognize obesity as a chronic disease, reduce stigma, and champion health. “We will try to foster conversations about what we can do.” capital. ”

“Weight health is a very important topic and one that needs to be addressed on a broader scale. I will be participating in many public forums and events and will be a vocal advocate in advancing this conversation.” said Winfrey.

Regarding the donation to the museum in Washington, D.C., she added: “I have been a long-time supporter of this worthy organization and am proud to continue to do so.”

Weight Watchers said the donation is intended to support the museum’s “goals to promote and highlight the contributions of African Americans and eliminate any perceived conflicts of interest for African Americans.” . [Winfrey] I’m on weight loss medication. ”

Winfrey has been open about her health and fitness struggles throughout her career. It became a hot topic last year After revealing that she is taking weight loss drugs.

“The fact that there are medically approved prescriptions for managing weight and staying healthy feels like a comfort, a relief, a gift to me in my lifetime, only to be hidden away and ridiculed again.” It’s not something you can do,” said Winfrey, 70. at that time.

“I’m done with being shamed by others, especially myself,” she said. Winfrey did not disclose the medications she was prescribed.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, one in three American adults is overweight.

In a poll conducted last August, 18% of adults surveyed said they were “very interested” in taking weight loss drugs, and 27% said they were “somewhat interested.”