Amalie Jennings understood from a young age just how unforgiving the world could be. Throughout her life, she battled feelings of self-hatred and isolation due to her body. But everything changed when she met a man named Sean.

“I have been overweight since I was two years old,” Amalie shared in 2019. “My mom took me to the doctor because I was gaining weight rapidly. Ever since I can remember, I have been bigger than other kids. And of course, that meant relentless bullying. My earliest memory of being picked on was in kindergarten when I was around four. The other kids made fun of me for my size.”

As Amalie grew older, the bullying only worsened. The more weight she gained, the more she became a target. She eventually turned to self-harm as an outlet for her pain, which only made her an even bigger target for ridicule. Her self-esteem hit rock bottom, and looking in the mirror became unbearable.

Shopping for clothes was another painful experience. Even as a child, Amalie had to buy clothes from the women’s department because children’s sizes didn’t fit her. She couldn’t wear the trendy outfits that her peers did, further deepening her sense of alienation. Additionally, she noticed a lack of representation for people like her in books and media. And when overweight characters did appear, they were often reduced to stereotypes.

Everything changed when Amalie, originally from Denmark, met Sean, a British man, through an online video game. Their unexpected connection quickly turned into a deep friendship and, eventually, something more.

“My husband Sean and I met 11 years ago on a PlayStation game,” she recalled. “At first, I thought he was an old man just looking for a young woman to talk to. But then I learned he was my age.”

Their relationship was built on genuine connection, free from shallow judgments about looks. Although they had exchanged pictures, it took time before they started video chatting.

Amalie admitted that her insecurities made her self-conscious, especially in the beginning. “I could see how big I was in the pictures, but he kept talking to me,” she said. “I was so insecure; I would hide my double chin. But he didn’t care—he just wanted to talk to me.”

Over time, their friendship blossomed. It took a while before they realized they were in love. Amalie began dropping hints about her feelings, but Sean didn’t immediately catch on. Eventually, she started posting subtle love notes on Facebook. Sean noticed but assumed she was talking about someone else. Finally, Amalie gathered the courage to confess her feelings directly.

“It was the strangest feeling because I hadn’t had luck with boyfriends before,” Amalie shared. “And suddenly, here was this guy, 500 miles away, who liked me just as much as I liked him.”

Their long-distance relationship soon became permanent when Amalie moved to England to be with Sean. However, their love story wasn’t free from judgment. Sean, a slim man, often faced questions from strangers who couldn’t understand why he would be with someone of Amalie’s size. Some even assumed he had a fetish. But Sean never let the comments get to him. He made it clear that Amalie’s weight was never an issue—he loved her for who she was, not for a number on a scale.

Despite their strong bond, outside scrutiny sometimes took a toll. In a 2019 interview, the couple revealed that while most of their loved ones were supportive, they had to cut ties with Sean’s father. The details remained private.

Amalie used her platform to speak out against fatphobia, particularly in the medical field. She became an advocate for self-acceptance and encouraged others to stop wasting time hating themselves.

“If I could go back and talk to a younger Amalie, I would say, ‘Stop wasting time hating yourself. Yes, your body is different, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad,’” she said. “You will never be able to stop people from saying things about you. You will never be able to stop them from looking at you. But you can stop letting it affect you. And you will find people who love you—who love your body for what it is.”

Body shaming remains a huge problem in today’s society, and it helps no one. Making someone feel ashamed about their body doesn’t always motivate change. Instead, it can worsen self-esteem issues and negatively impact mental health. Amalie’s journey with Sean proved that love, kindness, and acceptance could change everything, even in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving.

Amalie Jennings’ story went viral in 2019, inspiring people across the globe with her message of self-acceptance and love. Sadly, she passed away on July 15, 2024. The circumstances of her death remain unclear, but her obituary stated that Amalie, lovingly called “Malle,” passed away peacefully at the age of 30.

“Beloved and missed. ‘When you see a star twinkle, it’s me waving at you.’

On behalf of the family, Sean, Mom, Pavia, and Pia.”

If the critics ever doubted their love, they would now see that Amalie and Sean’s relationship lasted until the very end. Their story touched countless lives and continues to inspire people today. Though Amalie’s life ended too soon, her message of self-love and kindness lives on. Let’s honor her memory by striving for a world where everyone feels accepted, seen, and valued.

Our hearts go out to Sean and her family during this difficult time.