06/03/2026
This is the story of Khalid bin Mohsen Shaari, a resident of Saudi Arabia. In 2013, when he was 22 years old, his weight was recorded at approximately 610 kilograms (1,340 pounds), and he was considered the heaviest living person in the world. Due to his extreme weight, he had been completely bedridden for the previous three years and was unable to even step outside his home.
When news of Khalid's critical condition reached the then-King of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah, he intervened immediately. Acting on his personal directive, the King assumed full responsibility for Khalid's medical treatment, providing it completely free of cost. To transport him from his home in Jazan to a hospital in the national capital, Riyadh, a specialized crane (forklift) and a custom-built bed had to be utilized.
At the hospital, a team comprising more than 30 doctors and medical experts began treating Khalid. This treatment regimen included gastric bypass surgery, a rigorous and specialized diet plan, and intensive physiotherapy. The results of the doctors' immense efforts—combined with Khalid's own willpower—began to manifest very rapidly.
After just four years of arduous work, by 2017, Khalid's weight had dropped to approximately 150 pounds (68 kilograms). In total, he lost 542 kilograms—marking one of the most significant weight-loss records in history. Following his weight loss, several surgeries were performed to remove the excess skin from his body; today, he is in perfect health and is able to move around with ease.