Former talk show host Wendy Williams was diagnosed with aphasia and dementia last year, according to her care team.
The announcement on Thursday came “after careful consideration, not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy, but to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.” Aphasia is a condition that deteriorates language and communication abilities, while dementia progressively weakens cognitive ability and behavior. Williams, 59, left fans speculating for a long time that something was amiss as she hosted her own show, which the announcement addressed.
“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,” the statement said. “Receiving a diagnosis has enabled Wendy to receive the medical care she requires.”
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Williams also suffers from Graves’ disease and lymphedema, which she discussed on her program before it was canceled in 2022. She hosted the The Wendy Williams Show from 2008 until 2021.
This announcement comes days before a documentary about the host is set to air on Lifetime. Williams produced the two-part program, which will feature an anticipated discussion of her several diagnoses.