Delores Nowzaradan, the former wife of My 600-lb Life star Dr. Younan Nowzaradan, played a significant yet often overlooked role in his journey to success. Married for 27 years, from 1975 to 2002, Delores was a vital part of the foundation that supported Dr. Now’s rise in the medical field.
Marriage to Dr. Nowzaradan and Family Life
Delores married Dr. Younan Nowzaradan in 1975, beginning a long and impactful partnership. Together, they had three children, starting with their son Jonathan in 1978. While Dr. Now focused on his growing surgical practice in Houston, Delores dedicated herself to maintaining the household and raising their children.
Her role at home enabled Dr. Now to devote himself to developing the pioneering bariatric surgery methods that would later bring him national recognition. Their shared life laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the hit show My 600-lb Life, produced by their son, Jonathan.
Behind the Success: Supporting Her Husband’s Medical Career
Though her contributions remained behind the scenes, Delores Nowzaradan played a key role in her husband’s early career. She managed the household responsibilities that gave Dr. Now the time and stability needed to build his bariatric practice.
Delores’s constant support allowed Dr. Now to focus on honing surgical techniques and seeing patients without the added pressure of family logistics. Her efforts helped create a nurturing environment at home, making it possible for him to dedicate himself to transforming patients’ lives through surgery.
Raising Three Children While Managing Home Life
With her husband’s time consumed by surgeries and patient care, Delores took charge of raising their three children. Their eldest, Jonathan, would eventually step into the public sphere, not as a surgeon, but as a producer of My 600-lb Life.
The other two children remained out of the spotlight, as Delores worked hard to create a balanced, supportive home environment. She often managed school functions, family activities, and daily routines on her own, providing the consistency and care her family needed amid the challenges of being a surgeon’s wife.
Jonathan Nowzaradan: Following His Father’s Television Journey
Delores’s eldest son, Jonathan, chose a different route—merging media with medicine. As the producer and director of My 600-lb Life, he played a key role in bringing his father’s work to the screen.
His contribution helped humanize the medical transformations taking place in Dr. Now’s clinic, turning a specialized field into compelling television. The values instilled by Delores are evident in Jonathan’s work, which combines impactful storytelling with real-life medical challenges.
The Challenges of Being Married to a High-Profile Surgeon
Being married to a surgeon like Dr. Now came with unique challenges. As his reputation grew, so did the demands of his profession—emergency calls, long hours, and patient commitments left little time for family.
Delores bore the emotional weight of this dynamic, often managing the household and children alone. The toll of this imbalance eventually contributed to the unraveling of their relationship.
Understanding Their 2002 Divorce
After 27 years of marriage, Delores and Dr. Nowzaradan divorced in 2002. Citing his intense focus on work and the resulting neglect of family life, Delores sought separation just as Dr. Now’s practice began to gain wider recognition.
The divorce occurred shortly before the debut of My 600-lb Life, marking a turning point where Delores stepped away from public association with the Nowzaradan name and began her own quiet chapter.
Life After Divorce: Maintaining Privacy
Since the divorce, Delores Nowzaradan has remained largely out of the public eye. While her ex-husband gained fame and her son became a successful TV producer, Delores chose a private life, away from the media spotlight.
Unlike many former spouses of public figures, she has avoided interviews and appearances, focusing instead on her personal well-being and life outside of the Nowzaradan legacy. Her story is one of strength, quiet resilience, and the unseen work behind a very public success.
