In a recent press release, Wendy Williams‘ team confirmed that the former talk show host has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
Aphasia is a condition caused by brain damage that affects the ability to understand or express speech. Meanwhile, FTD impacts behavior and cognitive function. Wendy Williams’ diagnosis is very similar to Bruce Willis’.
“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 press release reads.
“The decision to share this news was difficult and made after careful consideration, not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy, but to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and support the thousands of others facing similar circumstances,” the release continued.
“Unfortunately, many individuals diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia face stigma and misunderstanding, particularly when they begin to exhibit behavioral changes but have not yet received a diagnosis.”
Wendy Williams’ Sister Says Host is Doing Better Since Documentary Filming
Wendy Williams’ team confirmed her dementia disorder ahead of a two-part documentary about the talk show host airing on Lifetime. Titled Where is Wendy Williams? the doc gives an honest look at Williams’ life amid her many health conditions, including Graves’ Disease and alcoholism.
According to her sister, Wanda Finnie, however, Wendy Williams’ condition has improved substantially since the filming of the documentary.
“I spoke with her yesterday,” Wanda recently told People. “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… 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.”
Williams’ family admitted that they aren’t sure of the exact treatments she’s undergoing. They did say, however, that the treatments appear to be working.
“I don’t know what is working,” Wanda said. “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 sounds really great,” Williams’ niece Alex added. “To hear my aunt now in terms of just how clear she is … Where she’s at physically and mentally and emotionally, it is like a 180.”