For most of her life, Amalie struggled with self-esteem and feeling like she didn’t belong because of her body. But everything changed when she met Sean — the man who saw her for who she truly was.
“I’ve been overweight since I was two years old,” Amalie shared back in 2019.
“My mom took me to the doctor because I was gaining weight rapidly. As long as I can remember, I’ve been big. Naturally, that led to a lot of bullying and teasing. My earliest memory of it was when I was just four years old in kindergarten — the other kids picked on me constantly.”
As she grew older, things only got tougher.
“I put on even more weight, which meant even more bullying. I started hurting myself and the bullying got worse,” she revealed. “I had a terrible self-image. I hated seeing myself in the mirror.”
Shopping for clothes was another painful experience. Even as a young girl, Amalie had to buy clothes from the women’s section because kids’ clothes didn’t fit her.
While other children wore the latest trends, Amalie was stuck in adult clothing, making her feel even more different. And in books, movies, and TV, she barely saw anyone who looked like her — and when she did, they were often made the butt of the joke.
A Life-Changing Encounter
Everything started to turn around when Amalie, a Danish native, met Sean — a British man — through an online PlayStation game.
“We met 11 years ago while gaming,” she said. “At first, I thought he was some older guy looking for a young woman to chat with, but it turned out he was my age.”
They bonded quickly, building a friendship that wasn’t based on looks. Although they eventually exchanged photos, it wasn’t the focus at the start.
Amalie admitted she was very self-conscious. “I hated my pictures — I saw how big I was. I would try to hide my double chin, but Sean didn’t care. He just wanted to talk.”
Over time, they became best friends. Amalie started dropping hints about her feelings, but Sean didn’t catch on right away. She even posted love notes on Facebook, but he assumed they were meant for someone else.
Eventually, Amalie gathered the courage to confess her feelings directly.
“It was surreal because I’d never had good luck with boyfriends,” she said. “And now, here was someone 500 miles away who liked me just as much as I liked him.”
Facing Judgment Together
Amalie eventually moved to England to be with Sean, but their relationship didn’t escape judgment.
Sean said people would often make rude comments, wondering why he — a slim man — would choose her. Some even assumed he had a fetish, but Sean always made it clear: he loved her for who she was, not her size.
Despite their love, outside opinions sometimes wore them down. In a 2019 interview, they revealed that although most people were supportive, they had to distance themselves from Sean’s father for personal reasons.
A Voice for Self-Acceptance
Amalie became a vocal advocate against fatphobia, especially within healthcare, using her platform to encourage self-love.
“If I could go back and talk to little Amalie, I would tell her, ‘Stop wasting time hating yourself. Your body is different, but it’s not wrong,’” she said.
“You can’t stop people from judging you, but you can stop letting it destroy you. And you will find people who love you — exactly as you are.”
While promoting healthy living is important, shaming people for their bodies solves nothing. In fact, it often makes things worse, crushing confidence instead of building it.
Through her and Sean’s story, Amalie showed that love, kindness, and acceptance could truly transform a life.
Saying Goodbye
Amalie Jennings’ journey touched hearts worldwide when her story went viral in 2019.
Sadly, Amalie passed away on July 15, 2024, at just 30 years old. The cause of her death wasn’t publicly shared, but her family confirmed she passed peacefully.
“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,” her obituary read.
Those who once laughed or judged are now left to see the strength of the bond Amalie and Sean built — a bond that lasted until her very last day.
Amalie may have left this world too soon, but her powerful message of self-love and acceptance lives on. Her legacy reminds us all to build a kinder world, where everyone feels valued just as they are.
Our hearts go out to Sean and Amalie’s loved ones during this difficult time.
