Wendy Williams, the former daytime talk show titan known for her candid and often controversial insights, is now facing a personal health battle. On Thursday, her caretakers confirmed that Williams has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia, formidable challenges she now confronts with her "trademark sense of humor." In a release distributed by PR Newswire and according to FOX 5 Atlanta, her care team emphasized that while her daily life is significantly impacted, Williams is still able to do many things for herself and is grateful for ongoing support.
The bombshell news arrived just ahead of a scheduled Lifetime documentary, "Where is Wendy Williams?" set to air this weekend, which is expected to shed further light on the circumstances that led to Williams' unexpected retreat from the limelight. As hinted by her manager "and jeweler" Will Selby in the film, her cognitive issues began to rapidly surface. Williams had previously admitted to struggles with alcohol, according to film footage from the documentary, which was connected to her cognitive decline. Williams' brother, sister, and niece disclosed to USA TODAY, that while she can reach out to them, they have been unable to initiate contact and have no knowledge of her exact location.
Frontotemporal dementia, as characterized by The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, refers to a spectrum of brain disorders due to progressive degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes. Known for altering an individual's behavior, language, and movement, the disease presents an "inevitable decline in functioning," with a life expectancy spanning seven to 13 years post-onset of symptoms. Aphasia frequently accompanies FTD, leading to difficulty with speech and comprehension, and currently, there are no treatments available to halt or slow the disease's relentless advancement.
The announcement from Williams' representatives builds upon a tumultuous timeline, including a financial guardianship dispute with Wells Fargo last year, which labeled her as an "incapacitated person." Her condition comes to light following a storied career highlighted by her unapologetic openness about personal issues such as her struggles with Graves’ disease and substance addiction. Williams' health took center stage in 2018 when she made public her diagnosis of Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder impacting thyroid function. Her health concerns have now culminated in a deeply private matter, as her family continues to navigate the complexities of her restricted communication and care arrangement.
Williams' prominence soared through the success of her self-titled talk show, "The Wendy Williams Show," which aired its final episode in 2022, following production interruptions and guest host substitutions. In its place, "Sherri," starring Sherri Shepherd, has taken over the timeslot, albeit without the distinctive catchphrase, "How you doin’?" that once electrified daytime television. Weill Cornell Medicine, the institution credited with her current care, declined to comment on the situation.
