From Mesa, Arizona comes Bette-Sue Birkland, a 53-year-old mother who stands 5'5" tall. She is a humorous woman with an overwhelmingly huge personality that she can even have her own sitcom. A woman full of life, she has an infectious laugh which can make anyone smile and eventually laugh as well. Bette-Sue worked as a motivational speaker for 20 years and served as an inspiration for others to make a change in their life, but eventually felt like a hypocrite deep inside because she realized she could not even control her own weight. She was once a speed swimming champion, and she knows what she is capable of and what her body would look like if only she could make a change. A competitive woman, Bette Sue would only get into a challenge if she knew she'd win.
Bette Sue and her 32-year-old daughter,
Ali , are often mistaken for sisters, as they have a close mother-daughter relationship and often act like siblings. Bette-Sue also went to beauty school to pursue hair dressing like her daughter. She is currently apprenticing under Ali at the salon, an activity which will yet strengthen their admirable relationship. Betty Sue and Ali comprised Team Pink on NBC's The Biggest Loser 5, where Bette-Sue's starting weight was 261 lbs.
Exclusive Interview with Ali and Bette-Sue (Photo courtesy of NBC)