Margaret Miles-Bramwell, who founded Slimming World, has died aged 76, it has been confirmed. She died earlier today surrounded by her loved ones in Mallorca, Spain. Slimming World wrote on Instagram: ‘It is with deep sadness that we share the news that our beloved founder Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE passed away earlier today, surrounded by her family. ‘As well as being our guiding star and the beating heart and soul of Slimming World, Margaret will be remembered for being a much-loved mum, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

‘Since founding our precious organisation 55 years ago, she has loved, nurtured and protected it – along with each and every member, staff member and consultant who’s been a part of the Slimming World family.’. Their statement continued: ‘Margaret steered her ship in the way she lived her life – with a generous spirit, passionate conviction, a wicked (and rebellious!) sense of humour and a fierce belief in doing the right thing.

‘Her determination to help people shed the burden of excess weight without shame or guilt has seen Slimming World grow from a single group in 1969 to the global authority in weight management that it is today.’. They concluded: ‘She undoubtedly touched hearts and changed lives for millions of people—and for all of us who knew and loved her. She’ll continue to do so for many more years to come.

‘Our thoughts are with Margaret’s family. We take comfort, as we’re sure they do, in the hope that Margaret is now reunited with her beloved Tony, sailing off into the sunset together.’. The businesswoman founded Slimming World, which provides tailored food plans and weekly group sessions for weight management, in Alfreton, Derbyshire, in 1969. Her company pioneered the first NHS weight management referral scheme in 2000, allowing health professionals to refer overweight patients to Slimming World groups to manage their weight.

Miles-Bramwell was made an OBE by Charles, then Prince of Wales, for her services to the health of the British public in 2009, the company’s 40th anniversary year. Speaking about her career after she received her royal honour, she previously said: ‘In the early days, in the sixties, there was some help around, but it was the sort that used humiliation tactics. ‘I really felt that we needed to treat overweight people with respect and courtesy and as adults and not as children who needed a slap or something. That was really what inspired me.’.

Miles-Bramwell was also the owner of a theatre in Majorca and the British boatbuilder Pearl Yachts and was named Business Woman of the Year at the National Business Women’s Awards in 2023. Over the years, Slimming World has received support and endorsement from countless celebrities and public figures. Paying tribute to Miles-Bramwell, singer and screen actor Jess Conrad wrote alongside a snap of them together: ‘Devastated to hear of the passing of @magwhit, @SlimmingWorld founder & a dear friend for many years. We enjoyed many happy evenings at her club @SonAmarMallorca. Pic below was taken in 2022 @theritzlondon where we spent the night enjoying dinner & dancing.’.

Australian pop star Peter Andre has also given the company his backing, having been involved in their campaign, The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw, in 2017, which raised a record-breaking £3.3million in two weeks. In 2018, he joined slimmers at the annual Slimming World Awards, where he praised the ‘inspirational’ winners. The Mysterious Girl hitmaker said at the time: ‘It was an honour to be invited to present the Slimming World Awards.

‘I met so many incredible people who had lost amazing amounts of weight and transformed themselves—inside and out. ‘While each of them was inspirational in their own special way, the one thing they all had in common was how much they felt they owed to their “Slimming World Family” in helping them to do things they always dreamed of and become the people they’re always wanted to be.’. Meanwhile, reality TV icon Gemma Collins has used Slimming World herself to shed pounds. She began losing nearly half a stone in a week, initially setting out with the plan of easing her hormone imbalance.

Other showbiz supporters over the years have included Jason Donovan, Rebecca Adlington, and Adam Thomas. In 2019, Rylan Clark also co-hosted the Slimming World Awards alongside Miles-Bramwell. Got a story?. If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.