Wendy Williams, Former Talk Show Host, Diagnosed with Aphasia and Dementia – Entertainment & Arts Update

Wendy Williams, former host of a talk show, has received a diagnosis of dementia.

According to a statement released by her caregivers, the 59-year-old has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, the same form of the illness as actor Bruce Willis.

This condition has caused significant hurdles in Wendy’s life, leading to behavioral and cognitive impacts, it stated.

Despite her condition, Wendy is still able to do many things for herself. She continues to maintain her sense of humor and is receiving the necessary care and protection to address her needs. She is grateful for the kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way.

These statements come following a report in People magazine and ahead of the broadcast of a Lifetime documentary, where her family disclosed the nature of her struggles.

Based on the article in People, a court-appointed legal guardian was the only person with unrestricted access to Williams.

The documentary crew had initially set out to cover her comeback but stopped filming in April 2023 when she entered a facility to treat cognitive issues. Doctors had connected her cognitive issues to alcohol use, according to her son in the documentary.

The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration describes FTD as a group of brain disorders affecting behavior, language, and movement, caused by degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain. Aphasia, a brain disorder that can lead to problems speaking or understanding words, can be a symptom of it.

FTD usually occurs in people in their 40s, 50s and early 60s, and it can affect a person’s personality, causing loss of inhibition or inappropriate behavior. It is sometimes mistaken for depression or bipolar disorder and can take years to diagnose.

While there are no known treatments to slow or stop the disease, some interventions can help manage symptoms.

Wendy Williams rose to fame for her no-boundaries approach to her life, including sharing personal details about her health, plastic surgery, and cocaine addiction. She became known for her signature phrase, “How you doin’?” on her talk show and her successful career as a radio host.