If you’ve ever fallen down the rabbit hole of TLC’s My 600-lb Life, you know there is one name that usually stops the conversation dead in its tracks. Steven Assanti. Love him or hate him—and honestly, most people on the internet seem to have picked a side long ago—he is the most polarizing figure to ever walk into Dr. Nowzaradan’s office.
It has been years since he first appeared on our screens. Since then, the rumors have been wild. Heart failure. Divorce. Death hoaxes. Total transformations. It’s hard to tell what’s real when someone lives their life through a lens of chaotic social media posts and reality TV editing.
So, what is the actual truth about My 600-lb Life Steven Assanti in 2026?
The Elephant in the Room: Is He Still Alive?
Let’s just get the big one out of the way immediately. Yes, Steven Assanti is alive.
Every few months, a "breaking news" post starts circulating on Facebook or TikTok claiming he passed away from a heart attack or complications from his weight. Most of these are clickbait. In 2023, the rumors got so loud that his brother, Justin Assanti, had to step in and clarify that Steven was still around.
The brothers don't even talk. Justin has been very open about the fact that they are estranged, but he still stays informed enough to shut down those death hoaxes when they get out of hand.
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The Marriage Mystery: What’s Up With Stephanie?
One of the most surprising turns in Steven’s saga was his marriage to Stephanie Sanger (now Stephanie Assanti). People were shocked. Stephanie, a massage therapist from Iowa, seemed like the polar opposite of the man we saw throwing temper tantrums in a hospital bed.
They got married in 2018. For a while, they were posting photos together, and she was fiercely defending him against online trolls. But things got... complicated.
Honestly, the status of their marriage is a bit of a moving target.
- They have lived separately for periods, with Steven once mentioning they were "technically separated" due to distance and work.
- Stephanie has largely retreated from the public eye.
- Steven has claimed that the intense scrutiny from fans made their relationship difficult.
As of late, they aren't exactly posting "happy anniversary" photos every week. Most insiders suggest they have moved on, or at the very least, are living completely separate lives. Stephanie has deleted many of the social media accounts where she used to defend him.
Where is Steven Now?
Steven hasn't exactly turned into a fitness influencer. That’s the reality.
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While some stars of the show like Melissa Morris or Amber Rachdi went on to have these incredible, "look-at-me-now" transformations, Steven’s journey has been more of a stalemate. At his heaviest, he was over 800 pounds. He did eventually get weight loss surgery, but his struggles with addiction—specifically to painkillers—often overshadowed his physical progress.
Dr. Nowzaradan actually kicked him out of the program at one point. That almost never happens.
Currently, Steven keeps a relatively low profile compared to his "Pizza-ordering-from-the-hospital" days. He pops up on TikTok or Facebook under various aliases, sometimes looking thinner, sometimes looking like he’s struggling again. He has admitted in interviews that he loves the attention, but the "villain" edit he got on TLC has made it hard for him to live a normal life.
The Justin Factor
You can’t talk about Steven without talking about Justin.
Justin Assanti is doing his own thing in Rhode Island. He runs a hobby shop called Hobby Haven. If you’re into Warhammer or tabletop gaming, he’s actually a pretty respected figure in that community. He used the show as a springboard to get his health in a better place, and while he isn't a marathon runner, he’s maintained a much healthier lifestyle than his brother.
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The two still don’t speak. Justin has been very clear that for his own mental health, he has to keep Steven at a distance.
Why the Internet Can't Let Go
Why are we still talking about My 600-lb Life Steven Assanti years later?
It’s because he was "the villain." Most people on the show are seen as victims of their circumstances or their past traumas. Steven was portrayed as someone who weaponized his weight to manipulate his father and the medical staff. Whether that was 100% true or just "good TV" is a debate that still rages on Reddit.
Steven himself has said that the producers pushed him to act up. He’s claimed he played a character. But if you watch those episodes, the frustration on Dr. Now’s face looks pretty real. You can't fake that level of medical exasperation.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Critics
If you are following the Assanti story, here is how to navigate the noise:
- Verify the Source: If you see a "RIP Steven Assanti" post, check Justin Assanti’s official business pages or reputable news outlets. If it isn't on a major network, it’s probably a hoax for likes.
- Respect the Boundaries: While Steven put his life on TV, his brother Justin has asked for privacy regarding their family drama. Support Justin’s shop if you like gaming, but don't badger him for "tea" on his brother.
- Understand the Edit: Remember that My 600-lb Life films hundreds of hours of footage and boils it down to 42 minutes of drama. It’s a glimpse, not the whole truth.
The story of Steven Assanti isn't over, but it’s definitely moved away from the cameras. He remains a cautionary tale about the intersection of reality TV fame, mental health, and the grueling reality of extreme weight loss.