Source: Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers via Getty Images / Getty
Former radio and talk show host Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with dementia and aphasia, as expressed in a statement to fans.
On Thursday (February 22), it was revealed that media personality Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, with both conditions affecting her ability to communicate and her cognitive ability. “The decision to share this news was difficult and was made after careful consideration, not only to support understanding and compassion for Wendy, but to raise awareness of aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and support the thousands of others who face similar situations,” a press release said. said her team.
The diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and aphasia is similar to the one veteran TV and film actor Bruce Willis had last year. Williams also addresses the health challenges of Graves' disease and lymphedema.
Despite these problems, the 59-year-old is “still able to do a lot of things for herself” and is receiving cognitive therapy at Weill Cornell Medicine. “Most importantly, she maintains her trademark sense of humor and receives the care she needs to make sure she is protected and her needs are met,” the press release said. “She appreciates the many kind thoughts and well wishes being sent her way.”
The news about Williams' health comes as Lifetime will air the documentary in two parts Where is Wendy Williams? on February 24 & 25. Since stepping down from hosting her TV show in 2019, Williams has mostly kept out of the public eye since the show went off the air in 2022, the same year she took over at the urging of her bank believing she was being taken advantage of. The guardian, who has been identified as Sabrina Morrisey, filed a lawsuit against Lifetime's parent company, A&E Networks. “The film was signed off by Wendy, the administration, her lawyers, the guardianship,” said Mark Ford, executive producer of the documentary. “They were aware of the shooting all the way through. So we did the book and got all the permissions we needed.”
The situation has led to a further cloud of confusion, with family members claiming they have not been able to speak to Williams. “All I know is that Wendy and her team came into the courtroom one way, and they left, and the family is completely shut out,” Wanda Williams, Wendy's sister, said in an interview with PEOPLE.
