Concerns over Wendy Williams’ health peaked this week ahead of an unreleased documentary series exploring the life of the former talk show host, who reportedly hasn’t seen her family in years.
On Thursday, a representative issued a statement on Wendy’s behalf to “correct inaccurate and harmful rumors regarding her health,” and said the former talk show host has been diagnosed with “primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal cognition” in 2023. The patient was diagnosed with FTD (FTD).
Williams has largely stayed out of the spotlight since her self-titled show was canceled in June 2022, but a new Lifetime documentary attempts to capture Wendy’s return as she launched her podcast career. We got to witness Wendy’s struggle with alcoholism and health issues.
In April 2023, Wendy entered a facility to be treated for “cognitive issues” caused by alcohol abuse, and the film crew stopped filming, and Wendy’s family told People magazine that communication with Wendy was through a court-appointed decision. He claimed he was only doing so through his legal guardian.
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Wendy Williams’ family is concerned about her health following an upcoming documentary and dementia diagnosis. (Getty Images)
“The people who loved Wendy don’t see her,” Wendy’s sister Wanda told People magazine. “I think the big thing is, [question] It’s like, “How the hell did you get here?”
“We’ve all seen the footage of what seemed to be my aunt’s spiral over the last few months, actually years,” said her niece Alex Finney. “It was shocking and heartbreaking to see her in this condition.”
On Thursday, while Finney was chatting with women on “The View,” Williams’ family was unable to contact her directly and Wendy had to call them from a blocked number. admitted that.
“She got to where she is between April and May last year,” Finney said. She said, “It took her several months before she was finally able to receive a phone call.”
She added, “Let’s be honest, we’ve had birthdays, we’ve had holidays, we’ve had illnesses. There was a time when my grandfather was in the hospital. How to contact him and let him know what’s going on. There was no,” he added. She lives with her father, who is 93 years old. ”
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In a scene from the “Where’s Wendy Williams?” documentary, Ms. Williams asks her driver to take her to her former studio where she hosted a daily talk show. She had forgotten that they had driven past the studio just moments before.
Wendy’s is reportedly out of the public eye and under the care of a court-appointed conservator. (Getty Images)
“I don’t know what the hell is going on,” her driver said in the video, according to People magazine. She said: “I think she’s lost her memory. Sometimes I don’t know who I am.”
A statement released Thursday revealed that Wendy suffers from frontotemporal dementia.
“In recent years, questions have sometimes been raised about Wendy’s ability to process information, particularly Wendy’s condition when she became mute, sometimes behaved erratically, and began to have difficulty understanding financial transactions. “Many people are speculating about this,” the statement said. Said.
“In 2023, after undergoing a series of medical tests, Wendy was officially diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Aphasia affects language and communication skills. Frontotemporal dementia is a progressive disease that affects behavior and cognitive function, and has already posed major hurdles in Wendy’s life.”
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Specialists at Weill Cornell Medicine have been identified as part of Wendy’s “current care team” to help her “get the medical care she needs.”
Williams was married to Kevin Hunter for 21 years, and they divorced in 2019 after it was revealed they had fathered another child during their marriage. (Getty Images)
“Not only to appeal for understanding and sympathy for Wendy, but also to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and to help thousands of other people facing similar situations. , the decision to share this news was difficult but was made after careful consideration.” “Unfortunately, many people diagnosed with aphasia or frontotemporal dementia face stigma and misconceptions, especially if they are beginning to show changes in behavior but have not yet received a diagnosis. .
“Wendy can still do so much for herself. Most importantly, she maintains her trademark sense of humor and receives the care she needs to ensure she is protected and her needs are met. She appreciates the many kind thoughts and needs.” We wish her all the best. ”
Most notably, actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed in 2022 with a brain disorder that affects his ability to communicate. According to the National Institute on Aging, FTD is “the result of damage to neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.” “Many symptoms can occur, including abnormal behavior, emotional problems, communication problems, difficulty working, and difficulty walking.”
Wendy’s battle with public health began several years ago. Williams began his journey into the entertainment industry in the ’90s with radio broadcasting before making his television debut with his own titled talk show in 2008.
Williams received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019. (Getty Images)
Eventually, Williams’ behind-the-scenes alcoholism became an issue on live television. “She will get drunk on air,” a source told People. “Gradually, we started wondering, ‘What’s going on with her?'”
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She claimed Graves’ disease was the cause of her fainting while dressed as the Statue of Liberty in 2017. By 2019, Ms Williams had revealed that she had had problems with cocaine addiction in the past and that she had been forced to live in a sober facility.
“You know I’m a very open and honest person. Kevin and I started the Hunter Foundation for People and recently launched the 888-HUNTER number for people struggling with addiction. “I always have been, always have been, and always will be in a sober house,” she said on a 2019 episode of the show.
“Right after the show, you see me all dressed up and coming to work, I’m doing Pilates…you know, I’m fight against cocaine “I never went anywhere to get treatment,” she said. I don’t know how. God was just sitting on my shoulder and I stopped… There’s someone in your family, it could be you… I want you to know more about this story. ”
Wendy has one son, Kevin Jr., with her ex-husband. (Getty Images)
At the same time, Williams filed for divorce after discovering that her husband of 21 years, Kevin Hunter, had fathered a child with another woman. Wendy and Kevin have one son, Kevin Jr.
”[Wendy’s mom] Shirley, may you rest in peace. Your aunt always reminds me that she would trade everything she has, all the money, all the cars, all the wigs, for a strong loving home and a loving husband. ,” Alex told People. “That was taken from her right after her son had to go to college.” [in 2018]. Emotionally, it was very difficult. It was too much for her world. ”
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The pandemic took a toll on Williams, who was forced to take a break from the show in May 2020 to be treated for symptoms of Graves’ disease, before returning to television in September.
“Recently, Wendy has been suffering from symptoms of Graves’ disease, which causes fatigue. After consulting with her doctor, as a precautionary measure, she will be taking some time off to continue her treatment,” a spokesperson said. The Wendy Williams Show,” he said in a statement at the time.
Wendy never returned to the show. In 2022, a legal guardian was appointed to protect her finances and health, and court documents were sealed. Wendy then filed a temporary restraining order against Wells Fargo asking the court to “reopen frozen accounts and assets” and allow Williams “access to any accompanying statements.”
The bank’s move reportedly came after Williams’ former financial advisor claimed that Williams was “of unsound mind,” according to Williams’ court filings.
She once lived in a sober house while working on “The Wendy Williams Show,” which treated addiction issues. (Getty Images)
“All I know is that Wendy and her team unilaterally entered the courtroom and left, and the family is completely excluded,” Wanda told People magazine. told. Meanwhile, Wells Fargo released a statement in response to ABC News, saying, “This matter was conducted in strict confidence. Any claims against Wells Fargo have been dismissed.”
In February 2023, a source told Page Six that when Wendy “appeared at the trendy Fresco by Scott restaurant with about 30 people including lighting, cameras, audio, and producers, it was as if she was working on the Mystery Project. “It looked like they were filming a movie.” [It] It was like a reality show. ”
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“How did she go from this aunt and sister, who we love and are healthy, to this person who is in and out of the hospital in a minute?” Wanda said. “How is that system better than a system that families can put in place? This system is broken.”
Williams’ son has reportedly come under intense scrutiny for his spending, but in the documentary Williams denies ever exploiting her. “I’ve never taken one. [money] without her consent,” he told People magazine.
Williams was last seen in New York in February 2023, which was her last major public outing. (Getty Images)
“I said [to the producers]Kevin Jr. said in the documentary, “No, she’s not coming back because she needs to recover,” adding, “I made sure business always took a backseat and health came first.” he said.
Wanda added, “There’s no one in this family who wouldn’t want the same thing for Wendy, and that’s her health.” Her niece Alex said: “She can’t wait to start the next chapter of her life.”
During an interview on Good Morning America, Alex was asked if his family had any concerns that Wendy would be exploited by the documentary, and she answered without hesitation.
“My aunt is the executive producer of this documentary,” Alex told Good Morning America. “When I finally talked to her, I said, ‘Aunt Wendy, why would you want to do this? You’re obviously at the heart of your health and you have to deal with all of that. It’s the right thing to do now. And she said, “Now is the perfect time because I want to take ownership of my story.”
Alex added: “I said I wasn’t going to cry, but I feel like I’ve cried enough in the last year and a half. But what people see is that I’ve been living with the world on my shoulders. She is a damaged woman,” she added. She’s long and she’s just cracked. ”
