by Zack Sharf, Variety Entertainment News Service, Variety
Wendy Williams' team confirmed in a press release that the former daytime talk show host has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, or FTD. Aphasia is a condition that affects language and communication abilities, and FTD is a disorder that impacts behavior and cognitive functions. Bruce Willis' family revealed last year that he was also diagnosed with the same kind of dementia.
Williams made a name for herself as the host of The Wendy Williams Show from 2008 to 2021. She stepped down from hosting amid medical issues and was public about her struggles with Graves' Disease and lymphedema. Her talk show was later canceled and aired its final episode in June 2022 after several guest hosts filled in for her.
"Over the past few years, questions have been raised at times about Wendy's ability to process information and many have speculated about Wendy's condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions," the press release states.
"The decision to share this news was difficult and made after careful consideration, not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy, but to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and support the thousands of others facing similar circumstances," the release added. "Unfortunately, many individuals diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia face stigma and misunderstanding, particularly when they begin to exhibit behavioral changes but have not yet received a diagnosis."
A documentary about Wendy is streaming soon
News of Williams' dementia disorder was announced ahead of the premiere of a two-part documentary about the daytime host that's airing on Lifetime. The doc, titled Where Is Wendy Williams?, is produced by her and takes a frank look at her life with Graves' disease and more. Her sister, Wanda Finnie, recently told People magazine that Williams is now in a much better place and is in greater shape than what is depicted in the documentary.
Wendy's sister spoke out
"I spoke with her yesterday and I speak with her very regularly when she reaches out to me," Wanda said. "She is, from what I understand, in a wellness, healing type of environment…We cannot reach out to her, but she can reach out to us. And she is in a healing place emotionally. She's not the person that you see in this film."
"Where Is Wendy Williams?" airs February 24 and 25 on Lifetime.
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