Brigid Berlin’s Weight and Work

The Andy Warhol Diaries

This thread follows Brigid Berlin’s cycles of dieting, office work, and self-consciousness as Warhol’s friend and colleague.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Factory Superstar A Factory Superstar from "The Andy Warhol Diaries". A Factory Superstar A vivid presence Brigid Berlin became one of Warhol’s close friends and appeared in his films as Brigid Polk.

A Factory Superstar from "The Andy Warhol Diaries". A Factory Superstar A vivid presence Brigid Berlin became one of Warhol’s close friends and appeared in his films as Brigid Polk.

A Factory Superstar A vivid presence Brigid Berlin became one of Warhol’s close friends and appeared in his films as Brigid Polk. Her wealth, wit, appetite, and performance made her a conspicuous figure in the Factory circle. A durable bond Warhol’s later diary shows their long familiarity in jokes, work, and blunt conversations about weight and daily habits.

Dieting After Bad Dieting After Bad from "The Andy Warhol Diaries". Dieting After Bad The screen becomes a mirror After seeing herself in the film Bad, Berlin began dieting and talking about her weight with Warhol and others.

Dieting After Bad from "The Andy Warhol Diaries". Dieting After Bad The screen becomes a mirror After seeing herself in the film Bad, Berlin began dieting and talking about her weight with Warhol and others.

Dieting After Bad The screen becomes a mirror After seeing herself in the film Bad, Berlin began dieting and talking about her weight with Warhol and others. Warhol recorded changes in her body and mood, sometimes treating progress as office gossip and sometimes as a personal struggle. Changing social status Her weight loss changed how friends and employees responded to her, but did not necessarily make her life easier.

Reception Work and Transcription

Reception Work and Transcription Work shifts over time Berlin typed, transcribed tapes, answered phones, and returned to practical office roles after years as a Factory figure. She could be indispensable to Warhol’s projects while also resisting assignments and becoming frustrated by office expectations. Uneven dependence Her relationship with Warhol mixed affection, teasing, employment, and his attempts to influence her eating habits.

Food and Self-Control Food and Self-Control from "The Andy Warhol Diaries". Food and Self-Control A public private struggle Berlin’s weight fluctuated, and Warhol often commented on what she ate, sometimes encouraging or policing her…

Food and Self-Control from "The Andy Warhol Diaries". Food and Self-Control A public private struggle Berlin’s weight fluctuated, and Warhol often commented on what she ate, sometimes encouraging or policing her…

Food and Self-Control A public private struggle Berlin’s weight fluctuated, and Warhol often commented on what she ate, sometimes encouraging or policing her choices. She joined support groups and experimented with strict food plans, turning dieting into another daily routine. The limits of teasing Warhol’s humor could soften difficult moments but could also make her feel watched and judged.

Work Through Change Work Through Change from "The Andy Warhol Diaries". Work Through Change A long relationship at the office Berlin continued transcribing, helping with projects, and participating in office life as Interview…

Work Through Change from "The Andy Warhol Diaries". Work Through Change A long relationship at the office Berlin continued transcribing, helping with projects, and participating in office life as Interview…

Work Through Change A long relationship at the office Berlin continued transcribing, helping with projects, and participating in office life as Interview changed around her. Warhol recorded their closeness through small routines and direct conversations, while her changing health and weight remained visible. Affection and friction Their friendship survived arguments, relapses, and work frustrations because it was built over decades rather than on a single role.

1960s

1976

Late 1970s to early 1980s

Early 1980s

1983–1987