Breaking News: Oprah Winfrey To Leave Board Of Weight Watchers

Oprah Winfrey is leaving the board of Weight Watchers, dealing a new blow to a company struggling to compete with the popularity of weight-loss medications.

The US celebrity, who has served on the company’s board since 2015, has announced that she will not run for re-election at the next shareholder meeting in May.

Ms Winfrey recently admitted that she used weight-loss medications as a “maintenance tool.”

Weight Watchers International shares fell 27% in extended New York trading.

Ms. Winfrey stated in a statement that she will continue to collaborate with Weight Watchers “in elevating the conversation around recognising obesity as a chronic condition.”

The influential talk show host and businesswoman also stated that she would donate all of her shares in the company to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Ms Winfrey is one of Weight Watchers’ largest shareholders, with a stake of around 10%.

When Ms Winfrey began working for the company nearly a decade ago, she joined the Weight Watchers programme and shared her experiences with other members. She had previously spoken publicly about her struggles with weight.

Her decision to leave the board comes as the company grapples with a significant shift in the weight-loss industry following the introduction of anti-obesity drugs such as Wegovy and Saxenda.

Weight Watchers also released its most recent financial results on Tuesday, which showed a net loss of $88.1 million (£69.6 million) for the last three months of 2023, more than doubling the previous year’s figure.

In March 2023, the company announced that it would acquire digital health company Sequence “as a natural step” given “advances in chronic weight management medications.”

Sequence describes itself as a weight loss programme that provides a variety of services to its subscribers. In addition to advice from fitness coaches and dietitians, it can prescribe drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.

Weight Watchers CEO Sima Sistani said the $132 million deal would allow members to benefit from both the company’s approach to “nutrition and behaviour change” and prescription medications.

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