Sad! World's heaviest woman who once weighed 500kg dies in hospital aged 37

- Egyptian Eman Ahmed Abd El Aty once weighed 500kg

- As a result, she was dubbed world's heaviest woman

- Despite surgery in Abu Dhabi to reduce her weight, she has passed away

An Egyptian woman who was dubbed world's heaviest woman has passed away at a hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates aged 37.

Eman Ahmed Abd El Aty, who was Egyptian, once weighed a whopping 500kg. Before surgery earlier this year, she had not left her bed since her pre-teens.

Doctors at Burjeel Hospital said Eman passed away on Monday morning, September 25 due to complications from her weight, including heart disease and kidney dysfunction.

Eman waves during a press conference upon her arrival in Abu Dhabi in July. Photo: Getty Images

They said her weight was caused by a thyroid condition. However, her family claims she had elephantiasis, a condition that causes heavy swelling of limbs.

Her family adds that Eman was heavy all her life. By the time she was 11 years old, she was too heavy to walk and had to crawl on the ground.

Eman during her 37th birthday celebration earlier in September. Photo: AP

The say that she subsequently suffered cerebral stroke, which left her bedridden until April this year when surgery enabled her to lose a massive 299kg.

Eman was being monitored in hospital with a view to starting physiotherapy to enable her regain use of her limbs when she passed away.

Doctors said her weight was caused by a thyroid condition. Photo: CEN