Valeria Levitin, known as one of the world’s thinnest women, weighs only four stone due to years of severe dieting, starkly contrasting with the healthy weight range for her 5ft 8in frame. According to health guidelines, she should ideally weigh between 9 and 12 stone. Despite her fragile appearance, Valeria is determined to discourage young women from aspiring to extreme thinness, emphasizing the importance of a positive self-image.
Originally from Russia and now living in Monaco, Valeria has received numerous messages from young girls who mistakenly view her as a role model. In response, she has spoken out against anorexia, sharing her journey to educate others on the dangers of eating disorders.
Through her public statements, Valeria, 39, courageously addresses her battle with anorexia and refuses to offer guidance on a lifestyle she believes is harmful. She has struggled with an eating disorder since her teenage years and hopes her story will prevent others from facing similar challenges. She candidly shares that anorexia has made her feel “lonely, unattractive, and distanced from others.”
Valeria’s struggle began in early childhood due to her mother’s concern about potential weight issues. Her mother’s strict monitoring of her diet set the stage for a difficult relationship with food. At 16, when her family moved to Chicago, Valeria attempted to fit in by losing weight, thinking it would help her be more accepted. This led her to cut out sugar and carbohydrates, but after years of avoiding certain foods, her body developed intolerances. Hurtful comments from classmates further fueled her drive to lose weight.
By age 23, Valeria’s size had dropped from a healthy 12 to a 6. Her ambition for a modeling career exacerbated her challenges, as she was told she needed to lose even more weight. By age 24, she was down to six stone, unable to pursue activities like dancing due to her fragility.
Over the next decade, Valeria sought help from numerous health specialists and reached an all-time low of 3st 10lbs. While she sometimes craves foods she cannot tolerate, her body has developed sensitivities from years of dietary restrictions. Her condition has affected her personal life, making relationships difficult, as she can’t engage in common social activities like dining out.
Today, Valeria relies on supplements to support her health and manages her lifestyle to reduce risks associated with her condition. She’s considering returning to Moscow, where she hopes to focus on her health and pursue her dream of becoming a mother through surrogacy. She believes her desire for a child will motivate her recovery, sharing, “I would love to have a family because I have so much to give. But it’s crucial to regain my health for myself and any future family. I’m committed to fighting anorexia and reclaiming my life.”
Through her journey, Valeria hopes to raise awareness about the challenges of eating disorders and inspire others to seek a healthy and fulfilling life.