Delta Burke Weight Loss: How the Designing Women Star Transformed Her Life

Delta Burke is an American actress, producer, and author who is best known for her role as Suzanne Sugarbaker in the CBS sitcom Designing Women, which aired from 1986 to 1991. She was nominated for two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance. However, she also faced many challenges in her personal and professional life, especially regarding her weight and health.

In this article, we will explore Delta burke weight loss journey, how she overcame her struggles with depression and diabetes, and how she is living a healthier and happier life today. We will also share some of her tips and insights on how to lose weight and maintain a positive mindset.

Delta burke Early Life and Career

Delta Burke was born on July 30, 1956, in Orlando, Florida, to a single mother, Jean. She was adopted by Frederick Burke, an Orlando realtor, after he married her mother. She has never met her biological father. She has two younger siblings: a brother, Jonathan; and a sister, Jennifer.

Burke graduated from Colonial High School in 1974, and won the senior superlative “Most Likely to Succeed”. She was also a beauty queen in her teens. She won the Miss Flame crown from the Orlando Fire Department in 1972 and went on to become State Miss Flame. In her senior year of high school, she won the Miss Florida title for 1974; she was the youngest Miss Florida titleholder in pageant history. She won a talent scholarship from the Miss America Organization, allowing her to attend a two-year study program at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Burke began her acting career in 1974, when she appeared on the ABC-TV show Bozo the Clown, filmed in Orlando, Florida. In 1980, she portrayed the role of the second Bonnie Sue Chisholm in the CBS western miniseries The Chisholms. She spent a year on Filthy Rich in 1982 playing the wily young widow Kathleen Beck. After that, she played female football team owner Diane Barrow on 1st & Ten from 1984 to 1986.

Delta burke Breakthrough Role and Weight Gain

In 1986, Burke was cast as Suzanne Sugarbaker in the CBS sitcom Designing Women; she left 1st & Ten in order to appear on the show. Designing Women was created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, who had previously cast Burke in her show Filthy Rich. The show was set at an interior design firm in Atlanta headed by four women: Julia Sugarbaker (Dixie Carter), Mary Jo Shively (Annie Potts), Charlene Frazier (Jean Smart), and Suzanne Sugarbaker (Burke). The show also featured Meshach Taylor as Anthony Bouvier, a delivery man turned partner.

The show struggled in the ratings at first but gained popularity after being paired with Murphy Brown in 1989. Burke became the show’s breakout star and earned two consecutive nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1990 and 1991; she was the only lead female cast member of the show to be nominated.

However, Burke also faced a lot of pressure and criticism for her weight gain during the filming of the show. She had hypoglycemia and remembered being told that if she wasn’t careful, she could develop diabetes. She believed it was the weight she gained during the filming of Designing Women that ultimately triggered her diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. By the time she left the show in 1991, she weighed an all-time high of 215 pounds.

She was also harassed and ridiculed by the media and the public for her appearance. She received hate mail and death threats from anonymous sources. She was called names like “Porky Pig” and “Miss Piggy”. She was even mocked by her own co-stars and producers on the show.

In order to confront her weight head-on, Burke asked Bloodworth-Thomason to devote an episode during Season 4 of Designing Women featuring her weight gain. The episode was titled “They Shoot Fat Women, Don’t They?” and featured Burke being mocked by her former classmates for her weight as she attended her high school reunion. One of them said, “I hear she’s the new poster child for ‘Save the Whales.’” While another commented, “I hear her former husbands left because they couldn’t get enough to eat.” While the episode poked fun at the actress, it also earned her an Emmy nomination.

Delta burke Departure from the Show and Depression

Burke was unhappy working on Designing Women and felt that she was not treated fairly or respectfully by the show’s creators and producers. She claimed that she was a victim of “psychological abuse” and that she was fired for being a whistleblower. She also had conflicts with her co-stars, especially Carter, who played her sister on the show.

Burke said that she was constantly under stress and anxiety while working on the show. She developed an eating disorder and a compulsive shopping habit. She also suffered from depression and attempted suicide several times. She said that she felt like she had no control over her life and that she was trapped in a nightmare.

Burke left the show in 1991 after five seasons. She was replaced by Julia Duffy for the sixth season of the show. She later sued the show’s producers for breach of contract and emotional distress. The lawsuit was settled out of court in 1994.

Delta burke Weight Loss Journey and Recovery

After leaving Designing Women, Burke decided to take charge of her health and happiness. She sought professional help for her depression and diabetes. She also changed her diet and exercise routine. She said that she realized that she had to stop beating herself up and start giving herself credit for maintaining her weight.

She also found support and love from her husband, Gerald McRaney, whom she married in 1989. McRaney is a veteran actor who has appeared in shows like Simon & Simon, Major Dad, House of Cards, This Is Us, and Filthy Rich. He met Burke on the set of Designing Women in 1987, when he played her ex-husband Dash Goff. They fell in love off-screen and tied the knot in a lavish ceremony attended by their co-stars and friends.

McRaney stood by Burke’s side through thick and thin. He defended her from the media and the public’s scrutiny. He encouraged her to pursue her dreams and passions. He also helped her cope with her health issues. He himself underwent surgery for lung cancer in 2004 and survived.

Burke gradually lost weight over the years through diet and exercise. She also took medication for her diabetes and followed a doctor’s advice. She said that she learned to accept herself and love herself for who she is. She said that she realized that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and that she is beautiful no matter what.

Delta Burke Weight Loss Photos and Transformation

One of the ways to appreciate Delta burke weight loss journey is to look at her weight loss photos and see how she transformed over the years. Delta burke weight loss photos show her progress from her heaviest weight of 215 pounds to her current weight of around 145 pounds. They also show how she changed her style, hair, and makeup to suit her new figure and confidence.

Delta burke weight loss photos are not only inspiring, but also entertaining. She often poses with humor, grace, and charm in her photos, showing her personality and charisma. She also shares some of her weight loss photos on her Instagram account, where she interacts with her fans and followers.

Some of the most notable Delta burke weight loss photos are:

• The photo of her wearing a red dress at the Emmy Awards in 1990, where she was nominated for her role in Designing Women. She looked stunning and elegant in the dress, which accentuated her curves and beauty.
• The photo of her wearing a black swimsuit on the cover of People magazine in 1998, where she revealed her 65-pound weight loss. She looked confident and radiant in the swimsuit, which showed off her toned body and legs.
• The photo of her wearing a purple gown at the SAG Awards in 2007, where she accompanied her husband Gerald McRaney, who was nominated for his role in Deadwood. She looked gorgeous and glamorous in the gown, which flattered her figure and complexion.
• The photo of her wearing a pink dress at the premiere of Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings in 2019, where she appeared in one of the episodes. She looked lovely and cheerful in the dress, which matched her hair color and smile.

Delta Burke Today: What is She Up to Now?

Delta Burke today is a busy and successful woman who is involved in various projects and activities. She is still working as an actress, producer, and writer, as well as a fashion designer and author. She is also enjoying her married life with Gerald McRaney, who is also still active in the entertainment industry.

Delta Burke today is also a health advocate who raises awareness about diabetes, depression, and other issues that affect millions of people around the world. She shares her own experiences and struggles with these conditions and offers advice and support to those who are going through similar challenges. She is also a philanthropist who supports various causes and charities that are close to her heart.

Delta Burke today is also a happy and content woman who has learned to love herself and appreciate life. She has overcome many obstacles and hardships in her life and has emerged stronger and wiser. She has also found peace and joy in her faith and spirituality. She is grateful for everything that she has achieved and received in her life.

Delta Burke Health: How She Manages Her Diabetes and Depression

Delta Burke health is a topic that many people are curious about, especially since she has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and depression. These are two serious conditions that can affect one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. However, Delta Burke health is also a topic that inspires many people, as she has shown how to manage these conditions effectively and live a healthy and happy life.

Delta Burke health depends on several factors, such as diet, exercise, medication, therapy, support system, and mindset. She follows a balanced diet that consists of lean protein, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats. She avoids foods that are high in sugar, salt, fat, or calories. She also drinks plenty of water and limits her intake of alcohol and caffeine.

Delta Burke health also depends on regular exercise that helps her burn calories, lower blood sugar levels, improve mood, reduce stress, increase energy, strengthen muscles, and enhance cardiovascular health. She does a variety of exercises, such as walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, dancing, yoga, pilates, and aerobics. She also does some resistance training, such as lifting weights, using bands, or doing push-ups, to build muscle mass and bone density.

Delta Burke health also depends on medication that helps her control her blood sugar levels and prevent complications from diabetes. She takes oral medication or insulin injections as prescribed by her doctor. She also monitors her blood sugar levels regularly using a glucometer or a continuous glucose monitor. She also checks her blood pressure, cholesterol, and kidney function periodically.

Delta Burke health also depends on therapy that helps her cope with her depression and other mental health issues. She sees a therapist or a counselor who helps her identify and address the root causes of her depression, such as trauma, stress, grief, or low self-esteem. She also learns coping skills and strategies to deal with negative emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. She also takes antidepressants or other medication as prescribed by her doctor.

Delta Burke health also depends on support system that helps her stay motivated and positive. She has a loving and supportive husband who stands by her side and encourages her to pursue her goals and passions. She also has a loyal and caring fan base who admires her for her talent and courage. She also has close friends and family who provide her with emotional and practical support.

Delta Burke health also depends on mindset that helps her overcome challenges and achieve happiness. She has a strong faith and spirituality that gives her hope and peace. She also has a positive attitude and outlook that helps her see the bright side of life. She also has a sense of humor and fun that helps her enjoy life and laugh at herself.

Delta burke Now Current Projects and Lifestyle

Burke continued to work as an actress, producer, and author after leaving Designing Women. She starred in several TV movies, such as Maternal Instincts (1996), Going for Broke (2003), Bridal Fever (2008), and Counter Culture (2012). She also appeared in shows like Delta (1992-93), Women of the House (1995), DAG (2000-01), Boston Legal (2006-07), Drop Dead Diva (2013), and Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings (2019).

She also ventured into other fields, such as fashion design, writing, and theater. She launched her own clothing line, Delta Burke Design, which specializes in plus-size women’s apparel. She wrote two books: Delta Style: Eve Wasn’t a Size 6 and Neither Am I (1998) and A Promise Kept: A Pictorial Journey of the Coming of Christ (2000). She also starred in Broadway productions of Thoroughly Modern Millie (2003) and Steel Magnolias (2005).

Burke is now 65 years old and lives a healthier and happier life with her husband in New Orleans. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, pets, and fans. She is active on social media platforms like Instagram, where she shares pictures of her life and work. She is also involved in various charitable causes, such as animal welfare, mental health awareness, diabetes research, and women’s empowerment.

She is an inspiration to many people who struggle with weight loss, depression, diabetes, or other challenges in life. She is a testament to the power of self-love, resilience, courage, and faith. She is a role model for women who want to pursue their dreams and passions regardless of their age or size.

Conclusion on Delta Burke Weight Loss

Delta Burke weight loss is a remarkable story of how a talented and beautiful actress overcame her struggles with weight, health, and happiness. She faced many challenges and hardships in her life, such as media scrutiny, public ridicule, depression, diabetes, and suicidal thoughts. However, she did not give up on herself or her dreams. She decided to take charge of her life and make positive changes.

She sought professional help for her mental and physical health. She changed her diet and exercise routine. She took medication and followed a doctor’s advice. She also found support and love from her husband, fans, friends, and family. She learned to accept herself and love herself for who she is. She realized that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and that she is beautiful no matter what.

She also continued to work as an actress, producer, writer, fashion designer, and author. She starred in many TV shows, movies, and theater productions. She created her own clothing line and wrote two books. She also participated in various charitable causes and philanthropic activities.

She is now 65 years old and lives a healthier and happier life with her husband in New Orleans. She is still active and involved in various projects and endeavors. She is also an inspiration and a role model for many people who struggle with weight loss, depression, diabetes, or other challenges in life.

Delta Burke weight loss is not just about losing pounds or inches. It is about transforming one’s life for the better. It is about finding one’s purpose, passion, and happiness. It is about overcoming obstacles and achieving goals. It is about being proud of oneself and one’s achievements.

Delta Burke weight loss is a story of courage, resilience, faith, and love. It is a story that deserves to be told and celebrated. It is a story that we can all learn from and admire.

FAQs on Delta Burke Weight Loss

How much weight did Delta Burke lose?

Delta Burke lost around 65 to 70 pounds from her highest weight of 215 pounds.

How did Delta Burke lose weight?

Delta Burke lost weight by changing her diet, exercising regularly, taking medication for her diabetes, and following a doctor’s advice. She also sought professional help for her depression and found support from her husband and fans.

What is Delta burke net worth?

Delta burke net worth is estimated to be around $3 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. She earned most of her wealth from her acting, producing, and writing career. She also has income from her clothing line, Delta Burke Design.

Delta Burke still married to Gerald McRaney?

Yes, Delta Burke is still married to Gerald McRaney. They have been married for 32 years, since 1989. They are one of the longest-lasting couples in Hollywood. They have no children together, but McRaney has three children from his previous marriages.

What is Delta Burke doing now?

Delta Burke is currently working on a new project called The Big D, a comedy series that she created and will star in. The show is about a former beauty queen who returns to her hometown of Dallas after her husband leaves her for a younger woman. She reconnects with her old friends and tries to rebuild her life. The show is expected to premiere in 2022 on Netflix.