Wendy Williams Hunter, the iconic host of the US daytime talk show, has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), her care team disclosed.
The announcement aims to dispel inaccurate and harmful speculations about her health. Ms. Williams, 59, had helmed the widely watched Wendy Williams Show for over ten years. However, the show concluded in 2022 amidst her ongoing health challenges.
This revelation follows a People Magazine cover story where relatives discussed Ms. Williams’s current health situation. According to the report, she is undergoing treatment at a care facility whose location remains undisclosed. Her family described her health decline as shocking and concerning.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Wendy Williams’s care team acknowledged her history of openness regarding medical challenges, including Graves’ Disease and Lymphedema, along with other significant health issues.
The team addressed concerns that have arisen over the past few years regarding Williams’s ability to process information. They noted instances where she began to experience difficulty in expressing herself, exhibited erratic behavior, and struggled with understanding financial transactions. These issues have prompted speculation about her condition among the public.
The care team further revealed that Wendy Williams’s diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia was confirmed through a comprehensive series of medical tests conducted last year. Aphasia is a neurological syndrome impacting communication, leading individuals to experience challenges in expressing thoughts and, in some cases, a loss of ability to speak or write.
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is an irreversible brain disorder resulting from damage to the left side of the brain, impacting language and communication abilities. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), its symptoms, which deteriorate over time, can be managed, but no treatment exists to slow or prevent their progression.
FTD is a rare disease, typically affecting individuals at a younger age compared to other forms of dementia, with most diagnoses occurring between the ages of 45 and 64. Wendy Williams’ journey aligns with that of Hollywood icon Bruce Willis, who received a diagnosis of aphasia in 2022 and later FTD in the past year.
In a recent announcement, Wendy Williams Hunter’s care team disclosed that frontotemporal dementia (FTD) has posed considerable challenges. However, they emphasized that despite these hurdles, the New Jersey native is still capable of handling many tasks independently.
“Crucially, she retains her distinctive sense of humor and is receiving the necessary care to ensure her well-being and address her needs,” the care team emphasized in their statement. Wendy Williams Hunter, the renowned talk show host, who will celebrate her 60th birthday in July, initially began her career as a DJ and shock jock in New York radio.
Her impactful tenure as the host of The Wendy Williams Show, spanning from 2008 to 2021, has left an enduring mark, with her candid remarks and on-air conflicts becoming viral moments on the Internet. Concerns about Williams’ health have been circulating for years, with a notable incident in 2017 when she fainted during a Halloween episode.
