Celebrities
Published February 23, 2024, 8:05 p.m. ET
How are you doing'?
Wendy Williams has broken her silence after being diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia.
“I would like to say that I am very grateful for the love and kind words I received after sharing my diagnosis of aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Let me say, wow! Their reaction was overwhelming,” Williams, 59, told People on Friday.
“The messages shared with me touched me and reminded me of the power of unity and the need for compassion,” she continued. “I hope others with FTD can benefit from my story. I would also like to thank the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration for their kind words of support and their extraordinary efforts to raise awareness of FTD.”
“I still need personal space and peace to thrive. Please know that your positivity and encouragement are greatly appreciated,” the TV and radio personality signed off.
“Where’s Wendy Williams?” premieres Saturday on Lifetime. Lifetime Wendy Williams attends the SiriusXM Town Hall with Wendy Williams hosted by SiriusXM host Karen Hunter on July 23, 2019 at SiriusXM Studios. Getty Images for SiriusXM
The Post has reached out to representatives for Williams for comment.
Williams' statement comes ahead of the release of her two-part Lifetime documentary “Where is Wendy Williams?”, which drops Saturday and Sunday.
As of May 2022, Williams has been living under a court-appointed guardian – whose identity remains confidential – who oversees both her finances and her health. Her family claims her legal guardian is the only person with full access to the media mogul and questions whether her decisions were in Williams' best interest.
Wendy Williams attends a private dinner at Fresco By Scotto on February 21, 2023 in New York City. WireImage
However, the Post learned on Thursday that a woman named Sabrina Morrissey, who claimed to be “acting in her capacity as temporary guardian of WWH” — presumably Wendy Williams Hunter — apparently filed a lawsuit this week against Lifetime's parent company, A&E Television Networks , has filed an attempt to delay the release of the all-rounder.
A&E representatives told The Post on Friday that Lifetime appeared in court today and that the documentary will air this weekend as planned.
On Thursday, Williams' “care team” announced in a statement that she had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia, the same two conditions that “Die Hard” star Bruce Willis, 68, struggles with.
Wendy Williams attends the Wendy Digital Event on the roof of the Atlanta Tech Village on August 29, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. Getty Images
“On behalf of Wendy Williams Hunter, her care team shares this very personal update with her valued fans, friends and supporters to correct inaccurate and hurtful rumors about her health,” the statement said.
It continued: “In 2023, Wendy was officially diagnosed following a series of medical tests
primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD)… [they] “We’ve already put major hurdles in Wendy’s life.”
The statement also claimed that Williams is “still able to do many things for herself” and that “she maintains her trademark sense of humor” while receiving “the care she needs to ensure “that she is protected and that her needs are taken into account”.
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