Jean Nidetch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean Nidetch
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| Born |
Jean Evelyn Slutsky
October 12, 1923 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
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| Died | April 29, 2015 (aged 91) Parkland, Florida, U.S.
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| Education | City College of New York |
| Occupation | Businesswoman |
| Known for | Co-founder of Weight Watchers |
| Spouse(s) | Mortimer Nidetch (divorced); Frank Schifano (divorced) |
| Children | 2 |
Jean Evelyn Nidetch (born October 12, 1923 – died April 29, 2015) was an American businesswoman. She is famous for starting the Weight Watchers organization.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in Brooklyn
Jean Nidetch was born on October 12, 1923. Her parents, David and Mae Slutsky, lived in Brooklyn, New York City. Jean's family was working class. Her dad drove a taxi, and her mom was a manicurist.
School Days and College
Jean went to Girls High School in Bedford. She was a very good student. Her smarts earned her a scholarship offer from Long Island University. But Jean decided to go to the City College of New York instead. There, she studied business administration.
Building a Career
First Jobs and Family Life
Jean's career started in 1942 after her father passed away. She left college to help her family. Her first job was at Mullin Furniture Company. She earned only $10 a week. Later, she worked briefly at Man O’War Publishing Company. This job involved making sheets for horse racing fans. It ended when the mayor of New York City tried to stop horse racing. Jean then found work at the Internal Revenue Service.
Jean met Marty Nidetch at the Internal Revenue Service. They got married on April 20, 1947. The young couple moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for Marty's job. He worked as a credit manager. Marty later became a manager in Warren, Pennsylvania. This meant another move for the family.
Life as a Homemaker
In 1952, Jean and Marty moved back to New York. Marty became a bus driver. Jean stayed home to raise their growing family. Even as a homemaker, Jean was very active. She helped with many local charities. These experiences helped her learn skills. She later used these skills to make Weight Watchers a global company.
Starting Weight Watchers
A Personal Struggle
Jean had always struggled with her weight. She was overweight as a child and a young woman. This led her to the New York City Department of Health Obesity Clinic. There, she was told to follow a strict diet. But Jean felt frustrated and didn't stick to the plan. She felt the clinic staff didn't understand her struggles.
The First Support Group
Instead of going back to the clinic, Jean had an idea. She invited six women who also wanted to lose weight to her house. They met weekly to talk about their challenges. They also shared diet tips and advice. Jean set one important rule: the women had to talk to their doctors first. Weight Watchers still follows this rule today. This small group was the start of something big. Jean officially started her company, Weight Watchers, in 1963.
Growing the Business
Word of mouth helped Weight Watchers grow. What began as a small group became huge. Hundreds of women wanted Jean's advice. Jean herself lost 70 pounds following her own plan. To cover costs, she charged 25 cents for her program.
Stepping Down and Selling the Company
In 1973, Weight Watchers celebrated its 10th anniversary. Jean decided to step down from leading the company. In 1978, the company was sold to J.D. Heinz. The sale was for $24 per share, totaling $71.2 million. Jean received about $7 million for her shares. She also agreed not to start another weight-loss company. Jean remained the public face of Weight Watchers. She continued to work as a consultant for the company.
Later Life and Passing
Jean Nidetch passed away on April 29, 2015. She was 91 years old. She died peacefully at her home in Parkland, Florida.
