Whoopi Goldberg has never been afraid to speak her truth, and now she’s opening up about a deeply personal transformation. At 69, the iconic actress, talk show host, and EGOT winner has revealed that she lost a significant amount of weight with the help of the diabetes medication Mounjaro. In her own words, she shed the weight of “almost two people.”
Her story is more than a weight loss tale. It’s about reclaiming health after serious medical challenges, breaking societal stigmas, and embracing medical support when needed. Here’s a closer look at how Whoopi turned a health scare into motivation for lasting change.
The Turning Point: From Health Crisis to Wake-Up Call
Goldberg’s weight gain didn’t happen overnight. In 2018, she faced a life-threatening medical emergency when she was hospitalized for nearly a month with pneumonia in both lungs. Doctors told her there was a 30 percent chance she wouldn’t survive. Complicating matters further, she developed sepsis, a dangerous condition in which the body attacks its own tissues in response to an infection.
To stabilize her condition, she was put on strong steroids, which are often associated with rapid weight gain. While the medication was lifesaving, it also caused long-term side effects, including swelling, fatigue, and difficulty losing weight.
By the time she was filming the 2022 movie Till, Goldberg said she had reached nearly 300 pounds. It wasn’t until a fan mistook her body for a fat suit that she was forced to confront just how much weight she had gained.
Mounjaro: A Game-Changer for Weight and Blood Sugar
In 2024, Whoopi revealed on The View that she had started using Mounjaro, a prescription drug originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes. Though FDA-approved for diabetes management, Mounjaro is now widely used off-label for weight loss because of its effectiveness in reducing appetite and stabilizing blood sugar.
The drug’s active ingredient, tirzepatide, helps control insulin levels and decreases food intake. According to clinical studies, Mounjaro has even shown greater weight loss results than Ozempic, another well-known drug in the same category.
Goldberg credited Mounjaro with helping her take back control of her body after years of struggling. During a guest appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, she described it as a “wonderful little shot that works for folks who need some help,” and said it had been “really good” for her.
Acceptance, Epiphanies, and Self-Image
What makes Goldberg’s story different is how she talks about her body and her mindset. For years, she didn’t think much about her weight, regardless of fluctuations. “My weight has come and gone and up and down,” she said, “but it’s never been an issue for me because I don’t listen to what other people say about me.”
But even she admitted that a moment of truth hit hard when she saw herself and realized, in her words, “That’s a lot of me.”
Goldberg has always advocated for self-acceptance, and her transformation hasn’t changed that. What it did do, however, was prompt her to reflect more intentionally on her health, her energy levels, and how she felt in her own skin.
Advocating for an End to Stigma
Throughout her public conversations, Goldberg has made one thing clear: weight loss medications shouldn’t come with shame. She’s spoken out repeatedly about the judgment people face—especially women—regarding their bodies.
On The View, she challenged the way society treats those who use medical interventions. “Maybe the key is to stop judging everybody. Maybe that’s the key,” she said.
She pointed out that people were critical of Clarkson when she gained weight, questioned her motives when she slimmed down, and disapproved when she admitted to taking medication. Goldberg urged viewers to let go of their expectations and let individuals do what works for them.
She emphasized that medications like Mounjaro exist for a reason, and they are often used by people who need medical support, whether for diabetes, hormonal imbalances, or other conditions that make weight management difficult.
Real Talk and Reality Checks
Goldberg’s journey is grounded in realism. She didn’t try to hide her use of prescription medication. She didn’t glamorize rapid weight loss. Instead, she shared how her health struggles led her to seek help—and how that decision changed her life.
Her message is simple but important: You don’t always know what someone is going through, and it’s not your place to judge.
Even when she didn’t see her own weight changes happening, she stayed focused on her work and well-being. But once she noticed, she acted. With the help of her doctors, a new mindset, and medication like Mounjaro, she took steps to prioritize her health.
Final Thoughts
Whoopi Goldberg’s weight loss isn’t just a Hollywood story—it’s a human one. It’s about surviving health scares, dealing with physical side effects of life-saving drugs, and finally taking control with the right tools.
By using Mounjaro and speaking out about it, Goldberg isn’t just changing her own life. She’s helping others feel seen and validated, especially those who need medical intervention but are afraid of being judged.
Her story is a powerful reminder that real health journeys are complex. They involve more than just willpower. They require compassion, knowledge, and sometimes medical support. And as Goldberg proves, they can lead to transformation at any age.