Wendy Williams’ guardian announced that early-onset dementia has left her “permanently disabled and legally incapacitated.”
This new revelation came amid ongoing legal battles concerning the release of the controversial Lifetime docuseries, Where Is Wendy Williams? The court-appointed guardian, Sabrina E. Morrissey, filed the statement, citing Williams’ diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and progressive aphasia.
In February 2024, news of Wendy Williams’ health diagnosis became public.
The documentary, chronicling Williams’ life, health struggles, and guardianship, was set to release just days after the announcement. Morrissey’s legal filing states that Williams is battling frontotemporal dementia, a progressive and incurable condition.
The filing also accuses media companies of exploiting Williams’ vulnerability. It claims they filmed the documentary without a valid contract and released it without Morrissey’s consent, arguing that Williams could not consent to being filmed or humiliated.
Morrissey is now requesting the court’s approval for “narrowly applied redactions” to the lawsuit’s public documents to protect Wendy’s privacy, particularly regarding sensitive matters like her health, family relationships, and finances. This legal move is intended to preserve her dignity and limit further public exposure.
Williams has faced numerous health issues over the past few years, including Graves’ disease, lymphedema, and alcohol abuse, which led to her court-ordered guardianship in April 2022.
Williams’ guardianship led to her placement in a care facility, limiting her family’s access to her. In February 2023, medical professionals revealed that Williams had been diagnosed with progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, conditions that severely impacted her daily life.
Her medical team noted that while she could still manage some tasks independently, the conditions created significant challenges. They assured the public that she was receiving the necessary care and expressed gratitude for the support from her fans.
In a statement shared with the media, Wendy expressed her gratitude for the love and support she had received after revealing her diagnosis. “Your response has been overwhelming,” she said, acknowledging the power of unity and compassion. She also shared her hope that others suffering from FTD would find strength in her story, though she requested personal space to continue her healing process.
However, controversy soon followed when Morrissey filed a lawsuit against A&E Television Networks and Lifetime, seeking to prevent the release of the documentary. Despite her efforts, an appeals court ruled against her, and the documentary aired as planned. The film explored Wendy’s health struggles and her transition out of The Wendy Williams Show, but it sparked additional family tensions.
Wendy’s sister, Wanda Finnie, expressed frustration over the family’s lack of information regarding Wendy’s diagnosis and medical condition since late 2021. Finnie also criticized the guardianship system, questioning its effectiveness compared to the support the family could have provided. She raised concerns about her sister’s deteriorating health and hoped Wendy would eventually regain the strength to speak for herself.
Morrissey, who has not publicly responded to the family’s allegations, continues to oversee Williams’ care and legal matters.
In August 2024, Wendy made her first public appearance in some time, accompanied by her son, Kevin Hunt Jr., at a holistic store in Newark, New Jersey. Fans felt hopeful that Wendy was getting the support she needed.
Despite the challenges, the new court filing paints a grim picture of Wendy’s condition, confirming that her cognitive impairment and disability have now reached a permanent stage.
This update comes amidst ongoing legal disputes over the unauthorized documentary and other matters involving Williams’ health and guardianship. As Wendy continues to navigate her diagnosis and the public scrutiny surrounding her, her supporters remain hopeful that she will eventually regain control over her own life and voice.