Early Life and Background
Born in the United States around the early 1950s, Delores Nowzaradan (née McRedmond) led a relatively private life before her marriage to Dr. Younan Nowzaradan. Though details of her childhood remain scarce, records indicate she worked as a secretary in her early professional years.
Like many women of her generation, Delores valued education and hard work. These qualities would later serve her well as she supported her husband’s demanding medical career while raising their family.
The 27-Year Marriage to Dr. Nowzaradan
Delores married Younan Nowzaradan in 1975, shortly after he completed his residency in surgery. Their union would last nearly three decades, during which time Dr. Now established himself as a pioneering bariatric surgeon in Houston, Texas.
While her husband spent long hours at his medical practice, Delores managed their growing household. She created stability at home that allowed Dr. Nowzaradan to focus on developing the surgical techniques that would eventually make him famous.
Their partnership represented a traditional division of responsibilities—he built a medical practice, while she provided the essential family support structure. In interviews and court documents, Delores is often described as a dedicated wife who supported Dr. Nowzaradan throughout his medical career.
Supporting Her Husband’s Career
Delores’s contributions extended beyond typical household duties. For 21 of their 27 years together, she also cared for Dr. Nowzaradan’s mother who lived with the family, demonstrating her commitment to family values and care.
While Dr. Now built his Best Care Clinic (BCC) starting in 1986, Delores maintained the home front. The clinic eventually became the family’s primary source of income and the foundation for Dr. Now’s later television career.
Life as a Mother
Together, Delores and Dr. Nowzaradan raised three children—Jonathan, Jennifer, and Jessica. Their most well-known child, Jonathan, was born in 1978 and would later become instrumental in bringing his father’s work to television.
As a mother, Delores focused on providing a normal upbringing for her children despite their father’s increasingly busy schedule. She managed school events, family celebrations, and daily routines largely on her own.
Jonathan’s Role in His Father’s Fame
Perhaps Delores’s most significant indirect contribution to Dr. Now’s public persona came through her son Jonathan. As an adult, he became the producer of “My 600-lb Life,” the reality show that turned his father into a household name.
Jonathan’s decision to document his father’s medical practice suggests the deep impression his father’s work made on him—an awareness likely fostered by Delores’s support of her husband’s career.
The End of Their Marriage
After nearly three decades together, Delores filed for divorce in 2002. Court records from the divorce proceedings indicate she cited “insupportability” and “cruel treatment” as grounds for ending the marriage.
The divorce documents reveal that Delores claimed her husband had become too focused on his career, often at the expense of family responsibilities. This common challenge for medical professionals’ marriages ultimately proved insurmountable for the couple.
The legal proceedings were complex and contentious, highlighting the difficulties of unraveling a long-term marriage with significant shared assets. The court ultimately awarded Delores approximately 70% of their community estate, with Dr. Now receiving 30%.
Life After Divorce
Following the divorce, Delores chose to maintain a low profile, staying far from the media spotlight even as her ex-husband’s television career took off. Unlike many former spouses of celebrities, she has not sought public attention or given interviews about her life with Dr. Now.
This decision to prioritize privacy speaks to her character and personal values. While her ex-husband became increasingly famous through “My 600-lb Life,” Delores continued her life journey away from public scrutiny.
Legacy and Impact
Though rarely acknowledged, Delores Nowzaradan’s support during the formative years of Dr. Now’s medical practice helped create the foundation for what would later become a groundbreaking television career focused on obesity treatment.
Her story represents the often-overlooked contributions of spouses who support medical professionals. Behind many successful doctors stands a partner who manages the complexities of family life, enabling the physician to focus on patient care.
Delores’s resilience following the divorce also serves as an example of dignity in the face of personal challenges. Rather than leveraging her connection to fame, she chose independence and privacy.
Conclusion
While Dr. Younan Nowzaradan continues to help patients transform their lives on television, Delores Nowzaradan remains a largely unknown figure who played a crucial role in his early success. Her story reminds us that behind public achievements often lie private sacrifices and support systems.
For those fascinated by the compelling work shown on “My 600-lb Life,” understanding Delores’s role adds valuable context to the doctor’s journey. The show’s existence—produced by their son Jonathan—stands as an unexpected legacy of their 27-year union.
Though their marriage ended, the foundation built during those years continues to impact countless lives through Dr. Now’s ongoing work with obesity patients—work that might never have reached such heights without Delores’s early support.