Slimming World founder and 'guiding star' Margaret Miles-Bramwell dies aged 76
The 'guiding star' of Slimming World has died 'surrounded by her family', it has been confirmed. Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE was described as the 'beating heart' of the weight-management organisation she founded 55 years ago.
The much-loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away on Sunday morning (February 2), aged 76. A tribute on the Slimming World website said Margaret had "touched the hearts and changed the lives of millions of people", including all of Slimming World’s consultants and staff who would "feel her loss deeply".
The tribute said: "Since founding Slimming World 56 years ago, her determination to help people shed the burden of excess weight without shame or guilt has seen it grow from a single group in 1969 to the global authority in weight management that it is today. She leaves this world a healthier place."
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Lisa Salmon, Slimming World's managing director, said: “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. Our job now is to continue to keep her legacy alive by doing the very same thing.”
Slimming World said Margaret had "taken great care" to ensure that plans were in place to "keep the company safe and sound, knowing that she might not always be around to steer it", adding: "The business will continue to operate just as it always has – run by people who care passionately about changing lives."