Wendy Williams, known for her outspoken personality and unfiltered opinions, has been a prominent figure in daytime television for years. Following the end of her talk show, many are curious about How Much Is Wendy Williams Worth today.
Born on July 18, 1964, in Asbury Park, New Jersey, Wendy Joan Williams Hunter displayed a natural talent for being in the spotlight. Her career began in radio, where she cultivated her skills as a “shock jock,” building a dedicated following with her fearless approach to discussing controversial topics. Her big break came with The Wendy Williams Experience, her syndicated radio show. However, it was her move to daytime television that cemented her status as a household name.
The Wendy Williams Show premiered in 2008, marking a new chapter in daytime TV. With her memorable catchphrases—how you doin’—and candid interviews, Williams solidified her position as a leading talk show host. In addition to her on-screen presence, Williams also ventured into various entrepreneurial endeavors, including writing books and launching her own fashion line.
Despite her professional success, Williams’ personal life has been marked by health challenges and publicized battles with addiction. In 2022, her talk show was canceled due to ongoing health issues. Since then, the longtime host has remained largely out of the public eye, raising questions among her fans, particularly about her financial situation.
Unpacking Wendy Williams’ Net Worth
As of 2024, Celebrity Net Worth estimates Wendy Williams’ net worth at $500,000. This figure may surprise some, considering her previously reported net worth was $20 million in 2023. So, what happened?
Wendy Williams’ net worth, which primarily came from hosting The Wendy Williams Show, appears to have decreased after the show’s cancellation in 2022. Recent revelations from Williams herself paint a concerning picture of her finances. In a teaser for her 2024 Lifetime documentary series, Where Is Wendy Williams, she stated that she has “no money” after her bank accounts were frozen in February 2022.
According to court filings, Williams’ former financial advisor told her bank that she was of “unsound mind.” Shortly after Wells Fargo froze her accounts, the bank petitioned a New York court to place the talk show host under a financial guardianship, citing risks of “financial exploitation, dementia, or undue influence.” Their request was approved, and Williams was assigned an unnamed financial guardian.
“I have no money, and I’m gonna tell you something,” Williams says in the documentary trailer. “If it happens to me, it could happen to you.” This statement offers a glimpse into the complexities of her financial situation and raises questions about her access to her wealth. Currently, Williams remains under a court-appointed guardian who manages her financial affairs.
Earnings from The Wendy Williams Show
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Wendy Williams’ salary for The Wendy Williams Show was $10 million per year, which translates to approximately $55,000 per episode.
While the talk show was officially canceled in February 2022, Williams stopped hosting in September 2021. At that time, she was on medical leave due to her ongoing struggles with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder she was diagnosed with in 2018.
In December 2022, Williams’ then-attorney filed a motion stating that she hadn’t received any income from The Wendy Williams Show during her medical leave. Her attorney noted in a court filing that on October 15, 2021, Talk WW informed her that her contract was being suspended and that no compensation would be paid during her disability and incapacity.
Her attorney further stated that she had “no other television show being aired and paying her any income, let alone an equivalent salary.” As of 2024, it is unclear what Wendy Williams’ salary is, or if she receives any kind of allowance under the terms of her financial guardianship.
Where is Wendy Williams Today?
As of February 2024, Wendy Williams remains under a legal guardianship and is residing in a facility to address ongoing cognitive issues. On February 22, 2024, Williams’ medical team released a statement revealing that she had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia.
“As Wendy’s fans are aware, in the past she has been open with the public about her medical struggles with Graves’ Disease and Lymphedema as well as other significant challenges related to her health,” the statement began. “In 2023, after undergoing a battery of medical tests, Wendy was officially diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).”
The statement continued, “Aphasia, a condition affecting language and communication abilities, and frontotemporal dementia, a progressive disorder impacting behavior and cognitive functions, have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy’s life.”
Her medical team also noted that Williams still has her “trademark sense of humor” and continues to “do many things for herself” as she continues to seek the care and treatment she needs.
According to People, Williams’ family is unable to reach out to her at her treatment facility, but she calls them occasionally to check in. “I spoke with her yesterday and I speak with her very regularly when she reaches out to me. She is, from what I understand, in a wellness, healing type of environment,” said Williams’ sister, Wanda Finnie.
“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,” Finnie added, referring to the Lifetime docuseries, Where Is Wendy Williams? “I don’t know what is working, but I do know that when she did reach out to me, it was a person who is remarkably different than what we see in that documentary,” she shared.
