BREAKING: Wendy Williams Diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia and Dementia
Former talk show host Wendy Williams has received a devastating diagnosis that has shed light on her recent struggles. In a press release issued by Wendy Williams’ team, it has been confirmed that she has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Aphasia is a condition that affects language and communication abilities, while FTD is a disorder that impacts behavior and cognitive functions.
A Troubling Revelation
Williams, who gained fame as the host of “The Wendy Williams Show” from 2008 to 2021, has been open about her medical issues in the past. Her battle with Graves’ Disease and lymphedema has been well-documented, leading to her stepping down from hosting. However, her health struggles took a turn with her recent diagnosis.
Questions about Williams’ ability to process information and her behavior began to surface in the past few years. Her press release acknowledged these concerns, stating, “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.”
Choosing to divulge this news was a complex decision, made with the intention to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy and to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. The release further emphasized the stigma and misunderstanding faced by many individuals diagnosed with these disorders.
A Candid Documentary to Premiere
The news of Williams’ dementia disorder is unveiled ahead of the two-part documentary about her, titled “Where Is Wendy Williams?,” which will air on Lifetime. The documentary, which she produced, takes an honest and introspective look at her life with Graves’ Disease and more.
Her sister, Wanda Finnie, shared with People magazine that Williams is currently in a much better place than portrayed in the documentary. Finnie 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.”
Be sure to catch the highly-anticipated documentary, “Where Is Wendy Williams?,” airing on Lifetime on February 24 and 25.
