Who Is Gwen Shamblin Lara? Age, Biography and Wiki
Gwen Shamblin Lara was an influential American dietitian and church leader whose life spanned from February 18, 1955, to May 29, 2021. As of 2025, if she were alive, she would be 70 years old. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Gwen rose to prominence through her unique approach to dieting and spirituality, integrating her faith with weight loss principles. She founded the Weigh Down Workshop, which became a multi-million-dollar weight loss program and garnered a vast following.
| Occupation | Religious Leader |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 18, 1955 |
| Age | 66 Years |
| Birth Place | Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 29 May, 2021 |
| Died Place | Percy Priest Lake, Tennessee, U.S. |
Popularity
Gwen Shamblin Lara's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Gwen Shamblin Lara was known for her distinctive physical presence that complemented her wellness teachings. She stood at approximately 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) tall and maintained a weight that was commensurate with her healthy lifestyle principles. However, specific measurements regarding her body stats are not explicitly documented in publicly available resources.
Henley (1926–1981), a general surgeon and Betty (née McNeil; born 1929) Lawrence. She was the second youngest of four children with an older brother, an older sister, and a younger brother. Shamblin along with her siblings were raised in a Church of Christ family.
She earned an undergraduate degree in dietetics and a master's degree in food and nutrition with an emphasis in biochemistry from University of Tennessee, in Knoxville. In college, Shamblin says she struggled with her weight.
She worked as a registered dietitian, consultant and a faculty member at Memphis State University for five years, and began a weight control consulting practice in 1980. She also worked in the city's Tennessee Department of Health.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout her life, Gwen Shamblin Lara was a devoted family woman. She was married to Joe Lara until her untimely passing in 2021. The couple, who resided in Nashville, Tennessee, often collaborated on various projects, including the Remnant Fellowship Church, which Gwen founded. Family remained a constant pillar in her teachings, emphasizing the importance of relationships both within familial structures and in the broader faith community.
Gwen Shamblin Lara (February 18, 1955 – May 29, 2021) was an American church leader known for the Weigh Down Workshop, her Christian dieting program. She founded Remnant Fellowship Church in 1999 and oversaw its ministry until her 2021 death in a plane crash together with her husband Joe Lara, who was the pilot, and five other Remnant Fellowship leaders.
Net Worth and Salary
Before her death, Gwen Shamblin Lara had amassed a considerable fortune primarily through her business ventures in the diet and wellness industry. Estimates of her net worth suggested it was between $5 million to $10 million, bolstered by her successful books, seminars, and the Weigh Down Workshop. Her financial success included not only personal earnings but also the revenue generated through her church and affiliated ministries.
Career, Business and Investments
Gwen Shamblin Lara's career blossomed as she combined her expertise in nutrition with her religious beliefs. She founded the Weigh Down Workshop in the 1980s, which transformed thousands of lives by promoting a faith-centric approach to eating and weight management. Her books, such as "The Weigh Down Diet," became bestsellers and solidified her reputation as a transformative figure in the diet industry.
In addition to her wellness work, Gwen founded the Remnant Fellowship Church in 1999, where she served as the spiritual leader. The church and its programs received both acclaim and criticism, but they remained pivotal in her life’s work.
Weigh Down Workshop had a staff of 40 in 1996. The company built a headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee, and Shamblin began hosting an annual summer convention in the Nashville area called Desert Oasis. By August 1998, it had more than 250,000 participants in more than 21,000 classes across Europe, Canada, and every US state.
Social Network
Gwen Shamblin Lara maintained a robust social network, primarily through her church congregation and followers of her weight loss programs. She leveraged social media platforms to connect with her audience, share motivational content, and promote her teachings. As of 2025, her legacy continues to inspire many, with programs and content attributed to her philosophy still accessible online.
Education
Gwen Shamblin Lara earned a degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Tennessee, laying the foundation for her career in dietetics. Her education equipped her with the knowledge that she would later integrate into her faith-based diet programs and teachings, reflecting a blend of scientific insights and spiritual guidance.
