If you’re a fan of TLC’s My 600-lb Life, you already know Dr. Younan Nowzaradan — the sharp-tongued, brilliant bariatric surgeon who transforms lives one surgery at a time. But here’s what most people don’t know: behind his rise to fame stood a woman who quietly held everything together for nearly three decades.
Her name is Delores Nowzaradan — and her story deserves to be told.
She’s not on TV. She doesn’t post on Instagram. She doesn’t give interviews. And yet, fans can’t stop searching for her. Why? Because once you hear about what she did, endured, and walked away from with her head held high — you get it.
Let’s dig in.
Who Is Delores Nowzaradan? Quick Facts at a Glance
Before we get into the full story, here’s a quick overview of everything you need to know about her:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Delores Ann McRedmond Nowzaradan |
| Date of Birth | November 20, 1953 |
| Age (2026) | 72 years old |
| Birthplace | United States (Tennessee) |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Former Secretary, School Teacher |
| Married To | Dr. Younan Nowzaradan (1975–2004) |
| Marriage Duration | ~27–29 years |
| Children | Jonathan, Jennifer, Jessica |
| Divorce Settlement | Approx. 70% of shared community assets |
| Current Status | Private life, no remarriage |
Early Life: A Tennessee Girl With Deep Roots
Delores McRedmond was born on November 20, 1953, in the United States, the daughter of Louis and Edith McRedmond, who ran a successful family business. She grew up in Tennessee with nine siblings — seven sisters and two brothers.
That’s a big family. And growing up in a household with ten kids, a family business, and strong entrepreneurial parents? It builds character. It builds patience. And boy, would she need both.
Delores joined the family business as a secretary and later inherited 4.6% of the company’s shares when her father passed away in August 1997, as he had left 46% of his shares to be split equally among his ten children.
She wasn’t just a stay-at-home wife with no life of her own. She had roots, she had values, and she had history — long before she ever became “Dr. Now’s wife.”
Meeting Dr. Now: How It All Started
The story of Delores and Dr. Now began in the early 1970s. Dr. Now, originally from Iran, had moved to the United States to pursue his medical career, and they connected through shared values: ambition, family, and a commitment to building a life together.
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.
Think about that for a second. She married him when he was just a young surgeon trying to make his name. No TV cameras. No fame. No bestselling books. Just a hardworking doctor and a woman who believed in him.
That’s not a small thing.
The Marriage: 27 Years of Holding It All Together
Here’s where the story gets real. Being married to a surgeon — especially one as driven as Dr. Now — is not easy. And Delores didn’t just survive it; she made it work for nearly three decades.
What Delores Actually Did During the Marriage
This wasn’t just “cook dinner and wait for him to come home” territory. Delores carried a full load:
- Primary caregiver for their three children, managing school, routines, and emotional support largely on her own
- Household manager while Dr. Now spent long hours building his Best Care Clinic (which he founded in 1986)
- Caregiver for Dr. Now’s mother — 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
- Worked as a teacher — she also worked as a primary teacher at Oakridge Elementary in Houston, Texas, for some time
Let that sink in. She was raising kids, caring for her mother-in-law, supporting her husband’s career, and working as a teacher. If that doesn’t earn respect, nothing does.
Delores and Dr. Now’s Children
One of the most fascinating parts of this whole story is how her kids turned out — and what they each went on to do.
Together, Delores and Dr. Nowzaradan raised three children — Jonathan, Jennifer, and Jessica.
Here’s a closer look at each of them:
Jonathan Nowzaradan
The most publicly known of the three. Jonathan eventually became a producer and director, playing a central role in TLC’s My 600-lb Life, the very show that catapulted Dr. Now to fame. So yes — the show that made Dr. Now a household name? His own son produced it. And his son got there because of the values his mom instilled.
Jennifer Nowzaradan
Jennifer pursued her artistic dreams and became a high school art teacher — quietly carrying on her mother’s legacy of education and creativity.
Jessica Nowzaradan
Jessica inherited her mother’s love for art and photography, keeping a relatively private profile much like Delores herself.
Three kids with purpose, direction, and talent. That doesn’t happen by accident — that happens because of a mother who showed up every single day.
The Divorce: When Enough Was Enough
The divorce between Delores and Dr. Nowzaradan was finalized in 2002 (with proceedings ending around 2004), ending a nearly three-decade-long marriage. According to public records, Delores filed for divorce, citing “cruel treatment” and “insupportability.”
The official legal language is cold, but the reality behind it is human and relatable. The demands of Dr. Now’s growing career inevitably created tension. While he dedicated himself to surgery and obesity medicine, Delores shouldered the day-to-day family responsibilities — an imbalance that reportedly became a key source of strain in their marriage.
She gave him 27 years. She raised his kids, cared for his mother, and supported his dream. And when she finally said “I’ve had enough,” she walked out with her dignity fully intact.
What She Got in the Divorce Settlement
Court records showed that she was awarded about seventy percent of their shared community estate, which gave her financial security after nearly three decades of marriage.
That settlement reflected not just legal entitlement — it reflected the weight of everything she had contributed behind the scenes for nearly three decades.
Life After Divorce: Privacy as a Power Move
Here’s what makes Delores truly interesting to so many people: she chose peace over publicity.
When the divorce was finalized, Dr. Now’s career was still climbing. My 600-lb Life would eventually make him a global name. And Delores? She stepped even further away from all of it.
After the divorce, Delores Nowzaradan retreated from public life, focusing on her children and personal peace. Unlike many ex-spouses of public figures, she avoided media attention, preferring a life away from the cameras. As of recent years, she reportedly resides in Texas, living a quiet and content life, and has not remarried.
No interviews. No reality TV cameos. No Instagram drama. Just a woman living life on her own terms.
In a world where everyone is fighting for attention, there’s something quietly powerful about a person who doesn’t need it.
Her Connection to My 600-lb Life (Without Being On It)
Here’s the irony that fans love to talk about: Delores has never appeared on My 600-lb Life — but in a very real way, she helped make it happen.
Jonathan Nowzaradan’s role as producer and director on My 600-lb Life indirectly links Delores to the show. Her parenting and nurturing laid the foundation for Jonathan’s success, highlighting the lasting impact of her guidance. While she never appeared on-screen, her influence shaped the very people behind the show.
That’s a legacy. Quiet, invisible, but absolutely real.
What We Can Learn From Delores Nowzaradan
You don’t have to be famous to be important. You don’t have to be loud to leave a mark. Delores Nowzaradan spent decades doing things that nobody filmed, nobody celebrated, and nobody gave awards for — and yet, the proof of her work walks around in the world every day.
A few things her story teaches us:
- Supporting someone’s dream is real, meaningful work — even when the world doesn’t acknowledge it
- Knowing your worth matters — she walked away when the marriage no longer worked, on her own terms
- Privacy is a choice, not a punishment — she opted for peace and that’s completely valid
- Parenting is legacy — her children’s lives reflect everything she invested
Delores Nowzaradan at 72: Where Is She Now?
Delores Nowzaradan reportedly resides in Texas, living a quiet and content life. Though she no longer works as a nurse (or teacher), she remains involved in her local community and enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren. She has not remarried and appears to be living independently, focusing on family and well-being.
At 72, she’s a grandmother. She’s at peace. And she’s earned every bit of that peace the hard way.
Conclusion
Delores Nowzaradan may never be a household name — and honestly? Something tells us she’s fine with that. Her story isn’t about chasing fame. It’s about showing up, holding things together, and walking away with grace when the time came. Behind one of TV’s most recognized doctors, there was a woman doing the quiet, hard, essential work of keeping a family alive. And that’s worth knowing about.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Delores Nowzaradan?
She was born on November 20, 1953, making her 72 years old as of 2026.
Why did Delores and Dr. Now divorce?\
Public court records show she filed citing “cruel treatment” and “insupportability,” largely related to emotional strain and the imbalance caused by Dr. Now’s demanding career.
Did Delores appear on My 600-lb Life?
No. She has never appeared on the show.
How many children do Delores and Dr. Now have?
Three — Jonathan, Jennifer, and Jessica.
Did Delores remarry after the divorce?
No. She has not publicly remarried and lives a private life in Texas.
