QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

        We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-74066) of Weight Watchers International, Inc. and subsidiaries of our report dated February 16, 2004, relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedule, which appears in this Form 10-K.

Date: March 18, 2004 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York

QuickLinks

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS