Michigan business icon and former owner of Weight Watchers, Florine Mark, has died aged 90 after opening more than a dozen of franchises across the US and Canada. 

The Weight Watchers pioneer, prominent business woman, and philanthropist, died ‘suddenly’ Friday morning, Sheri Mark, Florine’s oldest child, told FOX2. 

Mark, born in Detroit, established the Michigan Weight Watchers franchise in 1966 following her own stunning body transformation of 50-pound weight loss. 

She later led the franchise to go into 17 states in the US, then Canada and Mexico. 

‘My heart is really hurting it’s hard to believe,’ said Sheri Mark. ‘My mom was larger than life.’ 

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said Friday in a statement: ‘Florine was a fearless trailblazer and devoted friend.’ 

Florine Mark(pictured in 2018) died aged 90 after opening more than a dozen of franchises across the US and Canada

After losing 50 pounds, Mark led business to success became the president and CEO of the largest franchise group of Weight Watchers

Mark made Michigan Weight Watchers, a small family business in 1966, into the biggest franchise group of the company  

A leader in the local Jewish community for decades, Mark and had been worried about her grandchildren and great grandchildren caught in the midst of the Israel-Hamas War for the last few days of her life. 

When asked whether her mother would still be alive if the war had not happened, Sheri responded with a definitive ‘oh yeah, yeah.’ 

‘This was very sudden – she wasn’t sick, she was the healthiest person I knew,’ Sheri said. ‘This was pretty sudden.’ 

Gov. Whitmer said Mark was ‘An incredibly savvy and successful businesswoman.’ 

‘She was an icon and a leader who could encourage, empower, motivate, and inspire individuals to achieve their goals and be their best selves,’ Whitmer continued. 

‘I am grateful to have known Florine, and I know her memory will serve as an example for Michiganders to follow. My love goes to Florine’s family.’ 

She established the Michigan Weight Watchers franchise in 1966 following her own stunning body transformation

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Mark was ‘An incredibly savvy and successful businesswoman

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Mark served on the Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government 

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow called Mark ‘a leader in so many amazing ways — in business, in Detroit, in the Jewish community, as a role model for women and as the matriarch of a close and loving family.’

Mark lost 50 pounds after seeking help at a Weight Watchers chapter in New York and went on to establish the Michigan Weight Watchers franchise in 1966.

Having led the small family business to success. she became the president and CEO of the largest franchise group of Weight Watchers.

She sold the Weight Watcher franchises in Michigan, Ontario, and Canada to Weight Watchers International two years ago. 

Mark served on the Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and was chair for the Detroit Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, according to the Detroit Historical Society.

Mark, a longtime supporter of Israel, told WXYZ-TV on Wednesday that he was worried about his family who live in Israel, some of whom have been called up to fight in the IDF.  

Mark lost 50 pounds after seeking help at a Weight Watchers chapter in New York and went on to establish the Michigan Weight Watchers franchise in 1966

The long-term leader of the local Jewish community had been worried about her families caught in the Israel-Hamas War 

‘I’m terribly scared,’ Mark told the station. ‘I’m frightened for the Israeli people, I’m frightened for my children and my grandchildren, I’m frightened for the Palestinians. I don’t want war — I want peace.’ 

Mark returned from Israel three weeks ago for the wedding of a family member, who is now fighting in the IDF.   

‘They came home and we had an engagement party here for them,’ Mark said Wednesday looking at a picture of herself with Mataan and Mataan’s new wife. 

‘He got called up into a special unit and he’s now fighting, and his new bride is volunteering.’

‘His grandfather was in the IDF, his father was in the IDF and he felt this was his legacy.’

In the Detroit area, Mark’s ‘Ask Florine’ and ‘Remarkable Women’ broadcast television and radio segments were popular. 

She was passionate about her newest project, her widely popular podcast ‘Today’s Takeaway’ at the time of her passing. 

‘She gave her time and philanthropic time to many organizations she was a trailblazer with women, she just recently got an award Friday night,’ Sheri said. ‘It’s a huge loss for our family.’