Manuel Uribe Garza (11 June 1965 – 26 May 2014) was a man from San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, Mexico, notable for suffering from morbid obesity to one of the greatest extents known in recorded history. After reaching a peak weight of around 597 kg (1,316 lb) and having been unable to leave his bed since 2001, Uribe lost approximately 181 kg (399 lb)—one third of his body weight—with the help of doctors and nutritionists. Uribe drew worldwide attention when he appeared on the Televisa television network in January 2006 and had turned down offers for gastric bypass surgery in Italy.

Uribe was also featured on The World's Heaviest Man, a television documentary about his bedridden life and attempts to overcome his obesity. By 26 October 2008, Uribe had reduced his weight to 360 kg (790 lb) but died on 26 May 2014 weighing 394 kg (869 lb).

Personal life

Uribe lived in San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo Leon. He claimed that when he was growing up he was slightly obese but not to a significant extent. It wasn't until his 20s that his obesity sharply increased. In 1987 he got married and illegally immigrated to the United States for employment opportunities. Manuel and his wife settled in Dallas, where he was employed fixing computers. The nature of this profession required Uribe to spend his day sitting at a desk. He said, "Life in the U.S. is like that. You just go from your desk to your car. I used to drive my car to and from work & eat all day, so I didn't get any exercise".

Diet and weight loss

Manuel Uribe's weight-loss diet consisted of 2,000 daily calories, with six meals (egg-white omelets, salads, chicken fajitas, fish, and spring greens). Dr. Barry Sears, who made the diet said: "Manuel's ability to lose more than 800 pounds without resorting to weight loss surgery is a remarkable accomplishment."

On 3 October 2008, Uribe gave diet advice to a fellow Mexican, critically obese and bedridden José Luis Garza, who weighed 450 kg (990 lb). A former chef at a bowling alley, Garza, who was unable to get out of his bed for four months, said: "Manuel inspires me with courage and the will to live. I understand that this is a matter of life and death and that I have to follow the instructions that are given to me." Uribe sent girlfriend Claudia Solís to Garza's home with kiwifruit, grapefruit, pears, and protein supplements, and promised to help Garza get a wheel-equipped iron bed; however, Garza died five days later on 8 October 2008.

Manuel announced plans to launch the Manuel Uribe Foundation to educate Mexican people about nutrition, to combat obesity problems. He reportedly asked Guinness World Records in July 2008 to certify his second title: "The World's Greatest Loser of Weight," although this title would be held by American Jon Brower Minnoch.

Second wedding

On 26 October 2008, after four years together, Uribe —who weighed in at 318 kg (701 lb) after shedding 269 kg (593 lb)— married his second wife Claudia from his bed. He said: "I am proof you can find love in any circumstances. It's all a question of faith. I have a wife and will form a new family and live a happy life." He was transported to the civil wedding on his specially-reinforced four-poster bed, draped with cream and gold and adorned in bright sunflowers, on the back of a truck. Donning a white silk shirt with a sheet around his legs, he waited to greet Claudia as she walked down a flight of stairs wearing a strapless ivory dress and a tiara in front of over 400 guests. History TV 18's The World's Heaviest Man Gets Married documentary was the third TV show featuring Uribe.

Death

Uribe was hospitalized on 2 May 2014 after suffering several cardiac arrhythmias or abnormal heart beat among other health problems from liver failure. He died on 26 May 2014, at the age of 48 at 10:30 local time. His cause of death has not yet been disclosed.