Dolly Martinez, who became known to television audiences through TLC’s My 600-Lb. Life, is being remembered following her death at the age of 30.
Martinez’s family announced her passing in April 2026, with her sister Lindsey Cooper sharing an emotional tribute that remembered Dolly for her kindness, laughter and ability to make people feel welcome.
Her death brought renewed attention to the story she shared publicly on My 600-Lb. Life, where viewers followed her efforts to address serious health challenges and pursue weight-loss treatment.
Who Was Dolly Martinez?
Dolly Martinez appeared on Season 10 of TLC’s My 600-Lb. Life in 2022, when she was 25 years old.
Her episode documented her struggles with food addiction and the physical difficulties associated with her weight. At the beginning of her appearance, Martinez weighed about 593 pounds and relied on supplemental oxygen.
She later moved from Fort Worth to Houston in an effort to be closer to bariatric surgeon Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, commonly known as Dr. Now. During her time on the program, she lost around 40 pounds but was not approved for weight-loss surgery at that stage of her journey.
Dolly Martinez Cause of Death
Martinez died in 2026 at the age of 30.
Her mother, Staci Thurman, later told TMZ that Dolly died from congestive heart failure. According to the family account, Martinez had been experiencing health problems and was admitted to a Fort Worth hospital on March 29 after developing fluid around her heart and lungs.
She was subsequently placed in a medically induced coma and put on a ventilator, but she did not recover. Her family said she was surrounded by loved ones when she died.
The cause-of-death information came from Martinez’s mother through TMZ and was subsequently reported by several news organizations.
Family Announces Her Passing
Dolly’s sister, Lindsey Cooper, announced her death on Facebook on April 11, 2026.
In her tribute, Cooper described her sister as someone whose laughter, kindness and warmth could make people feel special. She also wrote about the family’s grief and their belief that Dolly had been reunited with their late father.
Cooper later asked people to remember that Dolly was more than the person viewers saw on television. She was, above all, a sister, daughter, friend and loved family member.
Dolly Martinez’s Life Beyond Television
Although My 600-Lb. Life introduced Martinez to a large television audience, her family emphasized that the show represented only one part of her life.
During her episode, Martinez spoke openly about her relationship with food and the emotional struggles she experienced. Her story was presented as part of the show’s broader focus on people attempting to make significant changes to their health and lives.
Following her death, family and friends remembered her personality and capacity for love rather than focusing solely on her television appearance.
Her sister described love as one of the qualities that best represented Dolly, saying she wanted both to give and receive love and was someone others could turn to without judgment.
Funeral and Memorial Plans
After Martinez’s death, her sister shared details about plans to honor her memory.
The family planned to have Dolly cremated, following the same approach they had taken after the death of their father. Her ashes were expected to be scattered at Serenity Point, a location with personal significance to the family.
The plans reflected the family’s desire for a personal farewell away from the public attention surrounding Martinez’s television career.
Dolly Martinez Remembered
Dolly Martinez’s story reached viewers through My 600-Lb. Life, but her legacy is also rooted in the relationships she maintained away from television.
At only 30 years old, her death has left family members, friends and viewers mourning someone whose life was publicly documented during a difficult period.
Her sister’s tributes have emphasized Dolly’s warmth, humor and ability to make others feel valued. Those qualities now form an important part of how her family wants her to be remembered.
Dolly Martinez’s time on television may have introduced her story to millions of viewers, but for the people closest to her, she was much more than a reality-TV personality. She was a beloved daughter, sister, friend and member of a grieving family.
Disclaimer
This obituary is based on information publicly reported by Martinez’s family and established media organizations. Her death at age 30 was confirmed by her family, while her mother later identified congestive heart failure as the cause of death. Personal and medical details have been included only where publicly reported by reliable sources and should be treated with appropriate sensitivity.