Wendy Williams, the renowned talk show host, has been going through a lot of changes in her personal and professional life.
After divorcing her husband of 22 years, she had to deal with the financial and emotional fallout of their split.
She’s also had to cope with a devastating diagnosis, which affected her mental health.
Wendy Williams, the esteemed talk show host, has never shied away from discussing her health issues. She has openly battled Graves’ Disease and Lymphedema, among other significant health challenges. In recent years, her ability to process information has come under scrutiny.
Observations of her losing words, displaying erratic behavior at times, and struggling with understanding financial transactions led to speculations about her health condition. In 2023, a thorough series of medical tests led to Williams’ official diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
Aphasia, a disorder that impairs language and communication abilities, coupled with frontotemporal dementia, a progressive disorder affecting behavior and cognitive functions, has already introduced substantial challenges in Williams’ life.
This diagnosis has facilitated the provision of the essential medical care that Williams requires. The decision to disclose this news was made after thoughtful consideration, aiming not only to advocate for understanding and compassion towards Williams but also to raise awareness about these conditions.
This is in support of the thousands of others navigating similar circumstances. Regrettably, many individuals diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia face stigma and misunderstanding, especially when they start to exhibit behavioral changes but have not yet received a diagnosis.
Before her diagnosis, Williams held a special affection for her marital home. More than a decade ago, she offered a tour of her beautiful home, specifically her favorite space – the showcase room.
She professed her love for her home, stating, “I love our house and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It’s not about it being big, it’s not about things being expensive; it’s about three people who live a fast life who need a safe place and that’s our home.” In a 2019 interview, Williams opened up about a challenging period in her life when her marriage was falling apart.
She revealed that she had chosen to live in a sober house during this tumultuous time. However, it wasn’t because she had fallen off the wagon, but rather due to the concerns she had based on the circumstances surrounding her. Williams had done her detective work and was aware that her husband, Kevin Hunter, was having a child with another woman.
Facing the imminent scandal of her husband’s affair, she, a talkative TV personality with a successful show, knew it would make headlines. She needed an environment free from interruptions and a sober house was the best choice for her.
She was aware that she was facing an imminent divorce and needed to thoroughly process everything to ensure that when she emerged from this situation, she would do so triumphantly. By the end of January 2020, the couple had finalized their divorce, attributing the split to irreconcilable differences.
Following their separation, Williams and her ex-husband decided to put their long-time New Jersey mansion on the market. The house, a 5,700-square-foot property listed at $1.9 million, was a luxurious abode with five bedrooms and four bathrooms.
It boasted a master suite with spacious walk-in closets, a marble bath, a jacuzzi, and a steam shower. The house also featured a family room with a wood-burning fireplace, a home office, and a gourmet kitchen. The backyard was a private oasis with a basketball court, a patio, and a koi pond.
In terms of financial settlements, both Williams and Hunter agreed to forego alimony. However, Williams agreed to maintain a $1 million life insurance policy on herself that would benefit Hunter should she pass away. She also took responsibility for covering Hunter’s health insurance under her current policy.
The former couple agreed to split the proceeds from their home when it eventually sold. However, Hunter later filed a lawsuit demanding that Williams continue paying alimony.
He claimed he had fallen behind on multiple bills and stated, “My life has been greatly affected since the plaintiff stopped making payments under our settlement agreement. I cannot pay my bills and sustain my day-to-day living.”
In response to Hunter’s demand for payment, Williams’ attorney stated that the star has not had income from The Wendy Williams Show since October 2021. The attorney emphasized that her client had not received a salary from production, and she “presently has no other television show being aired and paying her any income, let alone an equivalent salary.”
Williams’ absence from her show, “The Wendy Williams Show,” began in September at the start of her fall 2021 season. Shortly after, she was hospitalized for a psychiatric evaluation. At the time, she was reportedly earning $10 million a year, or $55,000 an episode, for her show.
In June 2022, “The Wendy Williams Show” concluded after a successful run of 13 seasons. Williams, however, was not present for the final episode, which featured a video montage commemorating her pioneering journey in television. Throughout the 13th season (2021-2022), Williams had been absent from her show due to health concerns.
Amidst her ongoing health challenges in 2021, Williams acquired a new residence, a high-rise unit in New York City valued at $4.5 million. The spacious 2,400-square-foot apartment features three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and an open-concept kitchen equipped with walnut cabinets, granite countertops, and a wine refrigerator.
In September of that same year, Williams appeared frail during a visit to a New York City art gallery, where she was aided by a young man who was pushing her wheelchair. In 2023, it came to light that Williams, who was unemployed at the time, was still obligated to pay off her $3 million loan on her $4.5 million New York City apartment.
The cost of maintaining the luxurious duplex was reported to be over $20,000 a month, factoring in her mortgage payment, maintenance costs, and New York City property taxes. It was later disclosed that she was liquidating her personal belongings in her apartment.
A variety of items from her penthouse apartment were made available for purchase, including her iconic purple chair. Additional items on sale included her furniture and a range of eclectic home decor items that had been showcased during the lockdown when she filmed her show from home.
It was also reported that she had plans to relocate to Los Angeles and was eager to make a comeback on television. Amid much speculation about the show host, Williams’ family members have now spoken out in Williams’ new docuseries, “Where Is Wendy Williams?”
The docuseries reveals the decline in Williams’ health, including memory loss, mental breakdowns, confusion, disorientation, and excessive drinking. In the documentary, Williams reveals that she is broke, saying, “I have no money.” Her son, Kevin Hunter Jr., expresses his concerns about his mother’s alcoholism, stating that people around her are allowing it to continue.
In a recent interview, her niece shared that Williams now sounds “really good.” She revealed that she hadn’t seen her recently but they had had great phone conversations where Williams sounded optimistic about the future and talked about possibilities of getting back to work.