Star Jones, the renowned television personality and former co-host of “The View,” has been candid about her transformative health journey and the profound impact it has had on her life. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Jones shared her motivation for staying healthy and how her experiences have fueled her public advocacy to encourage others to prioritize their well-being.
“The most important thing is for men and women to take care of their health,” the 62-year-old actress emphasized. “And I chose living over dying.” She continued, quoting a powerful line from the film “Shawshank Redemption,” “One of my very favorite lines is ‘You either choose to live or you choose to die,’ I chose to live and I took care of myself, and literally 20 years later, I have taken care.”
A Survivor’s Determination
Star Jones is a “heart disease survivor” who successfully underwent open heart surgery, and these experiences have fueled her determination to maintain her healthy habits. “Because of those choices, I was able to walk out of that hospital a whole, healthy survivor and thriver,” Jones explained. “And I don’t take anything away from my journey.”
Her gratitude for the choices she made to prioritize her health is evident, and she acknowledges the profound impact it has had on her life.
Simple Yet Effective Advice
When it comes to her advice for others looking to embark on their own health journey, Jones keeps it simple yet effective: “Eat less, move more. It works every time.”
This straightforward approach reflects her commitment to living a healthier lifestyle and her belief in the power of making sustainable changes.
Confronting Past Struggles
Jones has been open about her past struggles with weight, admitting that for a “majority” of her life, she was “morbidly obese,” and at her heaviest, she weighed 307 pounds. “I wasn’t fluffy, I wasn’t plus size, I wasn’t overweight — I was dying,” she said.
However, during an appearance on “The View”‘s 25th anniversary special in 2022, Jones expressed regret for not being truthful about her mental and physical health challenges during her time on the show.
Embracing Transparency
In 2003, Jones underwent gastric bypass surgery, but she never revealed it on “The View” at the time. It wasn’t until years later, in a 2007 “Glamour” essay, that she opened up about the surgery, admitting that she chose to conceal it because she was “scared of what people might think.”
During “The View”‘s 25th anniversary episode, Jones reflected on her journey, stating, “My greatest achievement is that I’m healthier now than I have been in my whole life.”
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