Jean Nidetch, founder of international dieting company Weight Watchers, died on Wednesday at the age of 91. Nidetch's death has been confirmed by her son David. During her entire life, Nidetch encouraged Weight Watchers members to be responsible about their health and take exercise.

According to reports, as a child, Nidetch had been overweight. She described herself as a fat housewife when she founded the company about five decades ago. After two years, she became a millionaire and at present, over 30,000 weight watchers' meetings take place globally.

Jean Evelyn Slutsky was born in Brooklyn in 1923. At the time of birth, she was seven pounds, three ounces. As per the reports, Slutsky would never ride a horse on a merry-go-round because she always afraid of what she'd look like climbing atop it.

Before enrolling in a high school, Slutsky tried diets of all types. According to reports, she even tried eating nothing. She also used to eat eggs and grapefruit and drink evaporated milk at that time. In 1947, she got married to Marty Nidetch. During her wedding, she had worn a long navy dress, which sized 18.

When she visited an obesity clinic sponsored by the New York City Board of Health in 1961, she was carrying about 214 pounds. After that, Nidetch started picking up tips that slowly seemed to work. Nidetch reached her target weight of 142 pounds in 1962.

After losing weight, she convinced her husband that she had the makings of a business. In 1963, she founded Weight Watchers International. After a year, classes were being held across New York. The new company founded by her first conquered New York and then the world. On its 10th birthday, comedian Bob Hope was on stage who entertained more than 16,000 people in Madison Square Garden.