The symptoms of frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia have been identified in Wendy Williams. Following what was described as “a battery of medical tests,” Williams was diagnosed with the diseases in 2023.
These conditions impact language, communication behavior, and function, as stated in a news release. Williams had taken a sabbatical from her talk show in 2021 to deal with health difficulties.
The 59-year-old Williams had been forthright about her diagnosis of Graves’ disease and lymphedema. “Wendy,” her long-running talk program that debuted in 2008, was initially her indefinite leave of absence. Sherri Shepherd was announced as the new host of the show in 2022.
The health update was given on Thursday by Wendy’s care team “to correct inaccurate and hurtful rumors about her health.” A number of her followers were worried and perplexed when she appeared to be unable to speak coherently and behaved erratically, even during her talk show tapings.
What is Aphasia?
Patients with aphasia have difficulty understanding and communicating with others. In 2022, actor Bruce Willis made headlines when he disclosed that he had the illness. Frontotemporal dementia was another diagnosis he made public later on.
Mayo Clinic reports that aphasia is associated with damage to the left hemisphere of the brain and can manifest as a sign of other medical problems such as a tumor, stroke, or a degenerative brain disease.
What is Frontotemporal Dementia?
The frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are involved in personality, behavior, and language; when they are damaged, a collection of brain illnesses called frontotemporal dementia (FTD) can result, according to the Mayo Clinic. It is the second leading cause of dementia, behind Alzheimer’s disease, accounting for 10% to 20% of all dementia cases.
There may be underdiagnosis of FTD, which affects an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 people annually, according to Agus. According to him, it is a chronic condition that worsens over time and may necessitate extensive medical attention.
In addition to “becoming socially inappropriate, impulsive or emotionally indifferent, while others lose the ability to use language properly,” the Mayo Clinic notes that some persons with FTD exhibit significant personality changes.
Wendy Williams Documentary and Guardianship
“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.” Williams’ team said in a statement that publicly disclosing her diagnosis was a tough decision.
Reports indicate that Williams is capable of handling several independent tasks and “maintains her trademark sense of humor.” Apparently, she is getting the medical attention she needs.
Wells Fargo claimed in 2022 that Willams was of “unsound mind,” and as a result, the court appointed a guardian for her, as reported by Entertainment Tonight. According to the bank, Williams was subjected to “undue influence and financial exploitation,” which she has vehemently rejected.
Concerns with the guardianship have also been voiced by her son, Kevin Hunter Jr. Will Selby, her manager, denied the allegations to ET, stating that Selby is not taking advantage of her.
Lifetime will film a two-part documentary on Williams’ life on February 24 and 25, and in the trailer, Williams discusses her money. She says in a concerned voice, “I am short on cash.” It seems that her guardianship is also a source of stress for her family. Being famous is everything to me. Nevertheless, nothing matters more than family. A lot,” Williams states in the preview.
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