How is Wendy Williams doing after aphasia, dementia diagnosis? Here's what we know
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For years, Wendy Williams asked viewers "How you doin'?" on her daytime talk show. Now many fans have the same question for the television personality.
Williams, 59, has been diagnosed with dementia and aphasia, her representatives announced last week. Here's what we know.
How is Wendy Williams doing?
In a statement shared with USA TODAY by Williams' "care team," the former TV host expressed her "immense gratitude for the love and kind words I have received after sharing my diagnosis of Aphasia and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)."
"Let me say, wow! Your response has been overwhelming. The messages shared with me have touched me, reminding me of the power of unity and the need for compassion. I hope that others with FTD may benefit from my story," Williams' statement reads. "I want to also thank the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration for their kind words of support and their extraordinary efforts to raise awareness of FTD."
She concludes, "I continue to need personal space and peace to thrive. Please just know that your positivity and encouragement are deeply appreciated."
According to People, Williams now resides in an undisclosed care facility. Her sister Wanda Finnie said that Williams can call the family, but they cannot call her themselves and do not know where she's housed.
What is aphasia?
Aphasia is a disorder that comes from damage to parts of the brain responsible for language, according to the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders.
Aphasia can affect the way a person expresses language and understands it. The disorder also can impact reading and writing. Men and women are affected equally by aphasia, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
What is frontotemporal dementia?
Frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, represents a group of brain disorders caused by the degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain, the AFTD says. Those parts of the brain are generally associated with personality, behavior and language, the Mayo Clinic says.
The disorder has various subtypes and differs from Alzheimer's, as people diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia are typically younger. Most people with frontotemporal dementia are diagnosed in their early 40s through early 60s, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
Wendy Williams' aphasia, dementia mirrors actor Bruce Willis' diagnosis
Williams' frontotemporal dementia and aphasia diagnosis mirrors the same diagnosis as actor Bruce Willis. Willis, 68, was first diagnosed with aphasia in 2022 before being diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia last year.
Most people with aphasia are middle-aged or older. Williams turns 60 in July. It is not known whether aphasia causes a total loss of language structure or complications in how language is accessed.
What is Wendy Williams' net worth?
Celebrity Net Worth puts Williams net worth at $500,000 in 2024. Style Caster says that figure may come as a surprise to some, especially considering that the longtime television star’s previously reported net worth was $20 million in 2023.
"I have no money," Williams says in a trailer for Lifetime's documentary. "I'm going to tell you something. If it happens to me, it could happen to you."
Who is Wendy Williams' guardian?
Attorney Sabrina Morrissey is Williams' temporary guardian, according to a lawsuit she filed on Williams' behalf trying to prevent a Lifetime documentary about the former talk show host from airing. A New York judge ruled the program could be released.
The Mirror reports that she currently serves as an associate of Morrissey & Morrissey LLP and focuses on “trusts and estates law, guardianships, and small corporation matters." Morrissey works with senior citizens as well as those with physical and psychological disorders. The publication also reports that Morrissey controls Williams' assets.
How to stream 'Where is Wendy Williams?' documentary
The first two episodes documentary made their debut on Lifetime on Feb. 24 and 25 and will air again on March 1 and 2. They will be followed by the premiere of episodes three and four, according to Lifetime.
If you don't have cable, Lifetime is available on a number of streaming services that carry the channel, including:
What happened to Wendy Williams' talk show? What is she known for?
For years, Williams heated up daytime with her signature Hot Topics segment. Then, her life became a hot topic.
In March 2019, Williams announced she was living in a sober house. Then, a month later, Williams filed for divorce after 21 years of marriage to ex-husband Kevin Hunter, a co-executive producer of Williams' long-running daytime talk show "The Wendy Williams Show" also known as "Wendy." The talk show host and Hunter share one adult child, Kevin Hunter Jr.
Wendy Williams' daytime show ends, Sherri Shepherd to take over slot
Two years later, in fall 2021, "Wendy" experienced several production delays. A rotating slate of guest hosts stepped in to help host the show including Leah Remini, comedian Michael Rapaport and former co-host of "The View" Sherri Shepherd.
"Wendy" was canceled in 2022 after Williams took medical leave during a battle with the autoimmune disorder Graves' disease.
As an actress, Williams has had roles in films such as "Think Like a Man" and its sequel, "Think Like a Man Too," "Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade" and "Homegrown Christmas." She has had guest roles on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "30 Rock" and "Drop Dead Diva," according to her IMDb entry.
USA Today reporters Jay Stahl, Charles Trepany and Taijuan Moorman contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Wendy Williams: Net worth, documentary fight, aphasia battle. How is she doing?
