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Next week, a documentary entitled “Where is Wendy Williams?’ will premiere on Lifetime. Those of us who watched the trailer had concerns about the former talk show host’s health beyond the Graves’ disease she was diagnosed with in 2018 and lymphedema that impacted her feet. But today, any rumors to rest with the announcement that the 59-year-old who hosted “Wendy” for 13 seasons is suffering from primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). She underwent a battery of tests late last year and decided to make her diagnosis public now.
What is Primary Progressive Aphasia?
According to The Mayo Clinic, ” Primary progressive aphasia (uh-FAY-huh) is a rare nervous system syndrome that affects the ability to communicate. People with it can have trouble expressing their thoughts and understanding or finding words.” According to their website, patients may exhibit symptoms before age 65, which is the case with Williams. The disease progresses gradually and progresses over time. Some people with primary progressive aphasia can lose the ability to speak and write. Her disease has not progressed to that point yet. About two million people in the United States suffer from a form of aphasia.
According to a statement by her representative to USA Today, “[Williams] can do many things for herself. She was involved in choosing the members of her care team. She was involved with and approved the statement released this morning.”
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) Explained
The Alzheimer’s Association defines frontotemporal dementia as “a group of disorders caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the brain’s frontal lobes (the areas behind your forehead) or its temporal lobes (the regions behind your ears).” The nerve deterioration can impact behavior, personality, and difficulty producing or comprehending language. Her primary progressive aphasia is a result of the type of dementia she has been diagnosed with. Actor Bruce Willis also has FTD, and his family has shared updates on his health.
Where is Wendy Now?
The statement on Williams’ health also comes shortly after People’s cover story on the daytime and radio legend’s family sharing their perspectives on her struggles. The story also revealed that she was filming her documentary through last spring, and filming ended when she entered a facility to treat her cognitive issues in April 2023.
Wiliams has been under financial guardianship since 2022. According to the story, her legal guardian is the only one with unfettered access. But Williams is now in touch with her family and talks to them on the phone.
Williams is under the care of a team at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, one of the top medical research centers in the country. It has an Alzheimer’s Disease & Memory Disorder Program. According to their website, “The Memory Disorders Program features healthcare professionals with extensive experience managing the full spectrum of cognitive and behavioral problems that can accompany degenerative brain disorders.” We hope that Williams is receiving the care she needs.
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