Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, her team said on Thursday.
Williams was diagnosed last year after undergoing medical tests. Aphasia, a syndrome that affects language and communication abilities, and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a degenerative frontal lobe ailment that affects behavior and cognitive functions, “have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy’s life,” according to her doctors. There are presently no cures for FTD, but researchers are working to better understand the condition and its underlying causes.
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Williams’ team announced the news publicly in an effort to raise awareness about the diseases. “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 team said in a statement. “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.”
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Williams built a name for herself as the presenter of The Wendy Williams Show from 2008 until 2021. She left the program due to medical difficulties, and she has previously spoken openly about her struggles with Graves’ Disease, an autoimmune ailment, and Lymphedema, a long-term condition in which fluid gathers in tissues and causes swelling.
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The announcement comes just before the launch of Where Is Wendy Williams?, a two-part documentary about the host’s life. The documentary, which will broadcast on Lifetime on February 24 and 25, will give viewers an inside look at her life after her chat show ended.
“Wendy is still able to do many things for herself,” the statement read. “Most significantly, she keeps her signature sense of humor while receiving the attention she requires to ensure her safety and requirements are met. She appreciates the many warm thoughts and good wishes that have been sent her way.
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