Wendy Williams, the beloved talk show host, is facing a heartbreaking battle with early-onset dementia. According to a recent court filing by her legal guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, Williams, 60, is now described as “permanently incapacitated” and unable to manage her affairs.
Wendy Williams Legal Guardianship and Health Updates
Williams was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia in May 2023. This came after years of troubling signs, including a public struggle with her finances and health. In 2022, Wells Fargo froze her accounts, citing concerns about her mental capacity. The bank later initiated a guardianship proceeding, leading to the court-appointment of Morrissey to oversee Williams’ financial and personal well-being.
“Wendy is an acclaimed entertainer who, tragically, has been afflicted by early-onset dementia and, as a result, has become cognitively impaired and permanently incapacitated,” Morrissey’s legal team stated in the filing. They also requested redactions to protect private information about Williams’ health and finances.
Controversial Documentary Sparks Legal Battle
In addition to health struggles, Williams has been at the center of legal disputes surrounding the Lifetime documentary Where Is Wendy Williams?. The four-part series, released earlier this year, depicted Williams in a vulnerable state, showing her drinking, struggling emotionally, and dealing with physical difficulties. Fans expressed dismay, with many calling the series exploitative.
Her guardian has filed a lawsuit against Lifetime and its parent company, alleging the documentary was created without proper consent. “This blatant exploitation of a vulnerable woman with a serious medical condition is disgusting and cannot be allowed,” Morrissey’s legal team argued. Publicist Shawn Zanotti echoed these sentiments, saying Williams believed the project would highlight her career comeback. “She thought it was about her resurgence. She would be mortified to see what was actually aired,” Zanotti told NBC News.
The filmmakers claimed they were unaware of Williams’ dementia diagnosis during production but halted filming upon realizing her declining condition. Executive producer Erica Hanson said, “We hoped she would recover, but it became clear she needed help.”