Jean Nidetch was an overweight New York housewife with a desire to become thin. No matter what diets she tried, she always seemed to gain back the weight. Her frustration led her in 1961 to try out a new idea. She decided that she would pair a decent and sensible diet with support group meetings. Soliciting some of her fat friends to join her, they started weekly check-ins…and the world of Weight Watchers was born. Incorporating Weight Watchers in 1963, Nidetch stayed as the spokesperson for many years and finally retired in 1984.