Inside Wendy Williams’ Health Struggles: From a Public Faint to Fighting Chronic Illness for 2 Decades

• Wendy Williams has battled chronic health issues for years, leading to the end of her show in 2022.
• Recently, her care team has revealed that the former broadcaster was diagnosed with more health issues.
• Still, her family and care team said she is doing better than before and that she still has a great sense of humor.

Wendy Williams has been open with the public about her medical struggles. The former broadcaster, who has faced significant challenges to her health, has been away from the public’s eyes for a while.

Williams used to host the “Wendy Williams Show” but it ended in 2022 because of her prolonged health-related absence. The show, which started in 2008, was replaced with one run by Sherri Shepherd.

The creators of Williams’ widely distributed talk show declared that Sherri Shepherd’s upcoming program would supplant “The Wendy Williams Show” in the time slots on Fox-owned-and-operated stations. Even with this alteration, company co-presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein shared their aspirations to partner with Williams anew in the future, offering their wishes for her quick and full recuperation.

In a statement, Howard Bragman, spokesperson for Williams, acknowledged that the media figure was facing a difficult period as she grappled with her health. However, Bragman noted Williams’ gratitude towards the producers who had backed her show.

Furthermore, Williams’ health hadn’t interfered with her TV work until 2017 when she fainted during the “Wendy Williams Show.” The TV host, who was dressed in an elaborate Statue of Liberty costume, began introducing the show’s annual Halloween costume contest toward the end of the hour. Suddenly, she fainted.

After a sudden commercial break, Williams returned alert, and still in her costume. She announced, “That was not a stunt. I was overheated in my costume. I did pass out. But you know what? I’m a champ, and I’m back.” The show went on normally but as they wrapped up, the media personality joked, “Is that the end of the show? Was I passed out that long?”

After the show aired, Williams’ spokesman Ronn Torosian released a statement saying that the TV host was dehydrated, causing her to faint on air. Williams was examined by medical professionals and determined to be well.

The media personality, who was previously married to Bert Girigorie, headed home to sleep and rest and as Torosian noted, “She has never missed a day of work and is looking forward on November 13th to her 1500th show.”

In 2018, Williams opened up about her health issues, revealing that she was diagnosed with Graves’ disease 19 years ago, an illness that affects the thyroid. The illness causes the overproduction of thyroid hormones and its symptoms are weight loss, anxiety, irritability, tremors in hands, bulging eyes, fatigue, and heat sensitivity.

Williams was also told she has hyperthyroidism. The TV host was unlucky to have both illnesses as having Graves’ disease or thyroid doesn’t necessarily mean one will have the other.

During her 2018 interview, she acknowledged that she felt better than she did months before. Williams acknowledged that her health had deteriorated due to neglecting her scheduled six-month endocrinology appointment.

Consequently, she was instructed to take a three-week hiatus from work as her symptoms of Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism were exacerbated. Fans also observed her bulging eyes, a common manifestation of her thyroid conditions. Williams clarified that Graves’ disease compresses the muscles behind her eyeballs, leading to their protrusion.

In 2021, the TV host also discussed the numerous wigs she wore. She explained that when she was working as a radio girl, she shot many TV pilots but none were picked up.

Williams wanted to show off her outrageous style but producers asked her to limit her wigs to three, something she couldn’t do. Williams switched between a dozen wigs due to her thyroid condition which caused her hair to thin.

In 2020, Williams discussed yet another health condition that was ailing her. The TV host said she has lymphedema, a condition that causes the swelling of body tissues.

Lymphedema has caused the media personality’s feet to swell to the extent that she revealed she “can only feel maybe five percent” of her feet. Williams added that normally she’d be in a wheelchair but she is lucky as she can stand up.

Now, Williams’ medical team has disclosed in a formal statement to the press that the media personality received a diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2024.

The team further elaborated that aphasia, a condition affecting language and communication skills, along with frontotemporal dementia, a progressive disorder impacting behavior and cognitive functions, have already posed significant challenges in Wendy’s life.

Williams’ family said the TV host is still able to handle many tasks independently. She has retained her distinctive sense of humor and is receiving the necessary care to ensure her well-being and address her needs. They revealed that Williams had expressed gratitude for the numerous kind thoughts and well wishes extended to her.

Williams’ loved ones have also spoken out ahead of Lifetime’s new documentary “Where is Wendy Williams?” The documentary, which premieres on February 24, 2024, was shot between 2022 and 2023 and showcases a difficult period in the media personality’s life.

The documentary shows that Williams is under the oversight of a court-appointed legal guardian, who manages her finances and health choices. She is depicted as grappling with alcohol addiction, as well as facing challenges related to her mental well-being, memory, and capacity for effective communication.

However, her loved ones, Wanda Finnie, sister, and Alex Finnie, niece, say Williams has improved mentally and physically. Wanda cannot reach out to Williams due to a lack of communication with her guardian but when the TV host communicates with her she tells her that she is in a healing place emotionally.

“She is, from what I understand, in a wellness, healing type of environment,” said Wanda, adding that, “she’s not the person that you see in this film.” Alex agreed that her aunt now, “sounds really great.”

Although Wendy Williams’ family is not privy to the specific treatments being administered at the facility she is in, they note a marked improvement in the media personality’s condition, indicating that whatever interventions are occurring, she appears to be responding positively.