Wendy Williams at "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at Home"
Wendy Williams, the iconic figure in daytime television, has recently been in the news due to reports about her health. A legal filing has stated that Williams is “permanently incapacitated,” adding to concerns that have been growing since she stepped away from her talk show. Amidst these reports, a common question arises: How Old Is Wendy Williams?
Wendy Williams celebrated her 60th birthday in July of this year. Born on July 18, 1964, this milestone birthday arrived during a challenging period for the television personality as she navigates serious health issues. Her age is particularly relevant when considering her recent diagnoses and the timeline of her health struggles.
In February 2024, it was revealed that Wendy Williams had been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023. These diagnoses came after she had already been placed under guardianship in 2022. The recent court filing declaring her “permanently incapacitated” underscores the severity of her condition.
Wendy Williams’ guardianship began in 2022 when Wells Fargo froze her accounts, prompted by concerns raised by her financial advisor about her mental capacity. The guardian was later identified as New York lawyer Sabrina Morrissey, whose role became public when she attempted to prevent the release of a Lifetime documentary about Williams.
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and primary progressive aphasia are significant health conditions that explain the current concerns surrounding Wendy Williams. FTD is a rare form of dementia that affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, areas crucial for personality, behavior, and language. Typically emerging in individuals in their 40s to early 60s, FTD can lead to changes in personality, social conduct, and emotional regulation. It is often misdiagnosed initially as psychiatric conditions like depression or bipolar disorder.
Aphasia, as defined by the Mayo Clinic, is a language disorder affecting communication abilities. It can impair a person’s ability to speak, write, and understand both spoken and written language. Primary progressive aphasia, as diagnosed in Wendy Williams, specifically indicates that the aphasia is the prominent and progressing symptom, impacting her language skills. Individuals with this condition may struggle with word-finding and comprehension. It is noteworthy that actor Bruce Willis also shares a diagnosis of aphasia and FTD.
The term “incapacitated,” as stated in the recent legal filing, means that Wendy Williams is considered to lack the physical or mental ability to make informed decisions. This legal determination reflects the impact of her dementia and aphasia on her cognitive functions. Questions used to assess incapacitation often include basic orientation questions such as “Do you know where you are?” and “Do you know who you are with?”
Wendy Williams’ health challenges have unfortunately led to the end of her popular daytime talk show in 2022. However, her health issues have been present for several years. In 2018, she disclosed her Graves’ disease diagnosis, an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid. Years prior, in 2017, she fainted on live television, attributing it to overheating in a Halloween costume, though in retrospect, it may have been an early sign of underlying health issues. Furthermore, Wendy Williams has openly discussed her past struggles with substance abuse, including cocaine addiction and residing in a sober living house in 2019.
A Lifetime documentary, “Where is Wendy Williams?”, aired in February 2024, offering a raw and unfiltered look into her life during a period of significant health decline. Filmed between 2022 and 2023, the documentary captured moments of confusion and instability, with Williams herself acknowledging her struggles with alcohol. Her son suggested in the documentary that doctors initially linked her cognitive issues to alcohol use. Despite the challenges, the documentary aimed to present an honest portrayal of Wendy Williams, consistent with her own outspoken nature.
In summary, Wendy Williams, at the age of 60, is facing serious health challenges, including frontotemporal dementia and aphasia, leading to her being declared “permanently incapacitated.” Her journey reflects the complexities of these conditions and underscores the impact on her life and career.
Sources:
- TMZ
- PEOPLE Magazine
- Mayo Clinic
- The Associated Press
- MIT Mind and Hand Book
