Hundreds gather to celebrate the life of Slimming World founder, Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE

The cortege left Margaret’s home in Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire, for Slimming World’s offices on Clover Nook Road, Somercotes, Alfreton, Derbyshire, where staff and local Consultants and managers lined a route through the headquarters holding white roses and spring daffodils, which they threw into the path of the car. 

A moment of silence was held as the car paused outside the front doors of the main building. 

From there, the cortege continued to The Cathedral Church of All Saints, Derby, for a service led by The Very Reverend Dr Peter Robinson, Dean of Derby.

Tributes were given during the service by her son Dominic Miles for the family, former Slimming World Chief Executive Officer Caryl Richards, and Margaret’s friend and trusted colleague Cenk Efe on behalf of the Mallorca community.

Unfortunately, the Cathedral isn’t large enough to accommodate the many thousands of people who wanted to say farewell to Margaret, so Slimming World also hosted guests at its head office and the service was live streamed to enable people to watch from its training suites. 

Following the service, a private farewell was held for family and close friends.

Margaret passed away on Sunday 2^nd February in Mallorca, surrounded by family, aged 76.

Margaret is succeeded by her loving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was the proud owner of several successful businesses in Mallorca and the UK, including Slimming World – the UK’s leading weight-management organisation.

Margaret started Slimming World aged 21 and her determination to help people shed the burden of excess weight without shame or guilt has seen it grow from a single group in 1969. It now employs around 500 people at its head office and 3,500 self-employed Consultants run groups up and down the UK and Ireland each week. The company supports around 700,000 members to reach the size and weight they want to be via its groups and online service.   

Born in April 1948, Margaret was handed an OBE in 2009 by the then-Prince of Wales, King Charles, for services to the health of the British public and her charitable work. She set up the charitable foundation SMILES in 1997, which has since raised more than £30 million. Over the years, she’s been dedicated to supporting the NSPCC (of whom she became a patron), Barnardo’s, Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Cancer Research UK and the Irish Cancer Society. In 2019, Margaret committed Slimming World to a charitable partnership with Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Having had her academic career cut short, Margaret was particularly delighted to be granted an honorary degree from the University of Derby in 2010. She was named Business Woman of the Year at the National Business Women’s Awards in 2023, and earlier this year Margaret was a Top 100 Influential People winner – established to recognise leaders in their respective fields.

On behalf of Margaret’s trusted director team, Lisa Salmon, Slimming World’s Managing Director, says: “We will never forget your friendship, your wicked sense of humour, the fun we had, your kindness, your straight talking or your single-minded devotion to giving nothing but the best to Slimming World’s members, Consultants and staff.

“What you achieved in 76 years was nothing short of magnificent. At the age of just 21, you knew that there had to be a better way to help people lose weight – one based on care, compassion and empowerment, not humiliation and shame. The methods you created, based on your deep understanding of the burden of being overweight, were (and still are) revolutionary, and they changed the face of weight management.”

Since her death, tributes have poured in from across the globe from people whose lives have been changed by Margaret and her quest to create a kinder world for people wanting to lose weight:

“The decision Margaret made 55 years ago to help others lead the life they wanted has meant I have had years added on to mine to share with my family.” Nick Furlong, Slimming World Icon 2025, who lost 6st (38kg) with his local Slimming World group in Woodhatch, Surrey.

“It is a rare thing for someone to have positively impacted the lives of so many and leave such a legacy of kindness behind.” Harriet Peacock, Slimming World’s Greatest Loser 2022, who lost more than 20st (127kg).

“Her vision and dedication have helped raise an incredible £20+ million for life-saving cancer research, funding work that will continue to change lives for years to come.” Philip Almond, Executive Director of Marketing, Fundraising and Engagement at Cancer Research UK.

“As well as giving me the opportunity to feel better about myself, she gave me the chance to build a career that has lasted 25 years.” Paula Grant, a Slimming World Consultant in Liverpool.

“Margaret created a culture at Slimming World that prioritises care, respect and personal growth. I personally owe so much of my success and the person I am today to her belief in me – something I’ll never forget.” Slimming World’s Deputy Marketing Manager Clare Lee, who has worked at the organisation’s head office for more than 25 years.

“The world has lost a powerhouse. Margaret was bold, a rebel, funny, caring and she truly understood people.” Mary Watkins, a Slimming World Consultant from Crowborough, East Sussex.

“You have changed millions of lives for the better, with your insight on how building a community achieves incredible things.” Carolann Hicks, Slimming World Woman of the Year 2022, who lost 12st 9lbs (80.2kg).

"Margaret’s decision to make Alzheimer’s Research UK a Slimming World charity partner has meant so much to us. Her kindness and commitment have left a lasting impact on our journey towards a cure for dementia, bringing hope to many." Hilary Evans-Newton, Alzheimer’s Research UK Chief Executive.

At Margaret’s request, donations to Blood Cancer UK can be made at margaretwhittaker.muchloved.com