The Heartbreaking Story of 1000-Lb Sisters' Tammy Slaton and Caleb Willingham

The Whirlwind Romance

1000-Lb Sisters star Tammy Slaton is disappointed after realizing that her husband, Caleb Willingham, has been keeping secrets from her. Tammy met Caleb at a rehab facility in Ohio, where both were undergoing treatment for health issues stemming from obesity. Tammy and Caleb’s romance played out in 1000-Lb Sisters season 4. They met sometime in September 2022 and shared their first kiss. Caleb popped the question to Tammy after three weeks of dating. In November 2022, Caleb and Tammy got married at the rehab center, while Tammy left the facility in February 2023 after dropping half her size.

1000-Lb Sisters' Tammy Slaton montage, one pic with trach, one in blue dress

A preview clip from ET from the next episode of 1000-Lb Sisters season 5 reveals how distance is starting to take a toll on Tammy’s marriage with Caleb remaining at the facility.

Tammy is full of energy and looking to lose 100 more pounds as she walks around the house collecting garbage without using a wheelchair or oxygen tank. Tammy gets on a video call with Caleb. She reveals that they text message all the time, but they don’t talk on the phone as much. Tammy suspects he’s hiding something from her. Caleb finally comes clean and tells Tammy he’s been struggling with eating. He reveals he spent six days in the hospital. Tammy Slaton Hopes To Have Kids Someday Caleb tells his wife that his CO2 levels had gone back up and the doctors suspected he had pneumonia. Tammy says Caleb didn’t tell her he was in the hospital, even though they had been texting. “I mean, it’s understandable with trachs, they’re very finicky,” she says, before adding, “You look at them wrong and you get a fricking bacterial infection.” Tammy understands that if the infection gets bad, one can be sent to the hospital. Tammy can’t believe that Caleb didn’t tell her he was sent to the hospital. Caleb claims he didn’t want to worry Tammy. He wants to “take care of some business” and get his health together.

Hope and Heartbreak

It appears Tammy is starting to lose trust in Caleb, and in the same video, she talks about having a future with him. Tammy has been enjoying her new body. She feels like a new person and wants to live and to travel. She tells the cameras that she and Caleb had been talking about having children. While Tammy didn’t want to have kids initially because she thought she wouldn’t be able to do it, the weight loss has helped her put things into perspective. Tammy is hopeful about starting a family with Caleb. However, him not being honest with her is starting to bother Tammy.

Caleb passed away in June 2023 at the age of 40. Caleb and Tammy had sparked split rumors a few months before he died, in April 2023. Tammy had changed her name back to her maiden name. She was no longer Tammy Willingham. Meanwhile, Caleb reportedly used his private Facebook page to claim that they were married only on paper. Tammy was devastated when Caleb died. She said she’d lost her guardian angel. The 1000-Lb Sisters star wore a necklace and ring made of Caleb’s ashes. The necklace has a treble clef symbol to honor their love for music, while the ring has Caleb’s textured fingerprint.

The Legacy of Love

The heartbreaking end of Caleb and Tammy’s story has left viewers in tears. Their love, struggle, and loss have touched the hearts of many. Despite the challenges they faced, Tammy and Caleb’s love for each other was undeniable. Tammy’s journey to self-discovery and her hope for a future with Caleb are testaments to the enduring power of love. As 1000-Lb Sisters continues to capture the hearts of viewers, Tammy’s strength and resilience will be an inspiration to many. Her love for Caleb will live on, and their story will be remembered as a powerful reminder of the fragility and beauty of love.