Wendy Williams, the former talk show host, has been diagnosed with the same form of dementia as actor Bruce Willis. A statement released Thursday by her caregivers confirmed that Williams, 59, has primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.
The statement noted that these diagnoses have already created significant challenges for Williams, affecting her behavior and cognitive abilities. Filming for a Lifetime documentary chronicling Williams’ comeback, which began in 2022, was halted in April 2023. Her manager, Will Selby, revealed in the film that she entered a facility for “cognitive issues.” Additionally, her son mentioned that doctors linked her cognitive problems to alcohol consumption, according to People.
Williams’ family stated they are unsure of her whereabouts and have been unable to contact her.
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is described by the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration as a group of brain disorders caused by the degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes. This affects behavior, language, and movement. One of its symptoms is aphasia, a condition that makes speaking or understanding words difficult. The association notes that FTD leads to a gradual decline in functioning, with an average life expectancy of seven to 13 years from the onset of symptoms.
FTD usually affects people in their forties, fifties, and early sixties. It can change a person’s personality, resulting in a loss of inhibition or inappropriate behavior, and is often mistaken for depression or bipolar disorder. Diagnosing it can take years, and currently, there are no medications to delay or stop the disease. However, some interventions can help manage the symptoms.
The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration was involved in announcing Willis’ illness in February 2023, with a statement from the actor’s family.
Susan Dickinson, the association’s CEO, expressed gratitude for Williams’ courage in making her diagnosis public. “We understand that a diagnosis like this can be distressing, but she is not alone. While there may be no cure, we are striving every day to enhance care and conduct research into treatments for this disease,” Dickinson stated.
Williams has been receiving care from Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, though Weill Cornell has declined to comment.
Wendy Williams became famous for her candid approach to her life, openly discussing her health, plastic surgery, and cocaine addiction in her 2003 memoir, “Wendy’s Got the Heat.”
“The Wendy Williams Show,” known for its catchphrase “How you doin’?” competed with Ellen DeGeneres’ show for viewers. Williams transitioned to television after a successful radio career, where she was known for her sharp commentary on gossip and celebrities, including a notable 2003 interview with Whitney Houston.
Her daytime talk show ended in 2022 due to chronic health issues. Sherri Shepherd, who had filled in for Williams as a guest host, now has her own show.
In 2018, Williams revealed she had been diagnosed years earlier with Graves’ disease, a condition that causes overproduction of thyroid hormones, leading to various symptoms and impacting overall health.
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