Wendy Williams has been classified as “cognitively impaired and permanently incapacitated,” according to a memorandum submitted by her guardian’s legal team. The 60-year-old former talk show host has reportedly been diagnosed with early-onset dementia, specifically primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, which has significantly affected her communication abilities and cognitive function.
In the legal filing made in a New York court on November 12, attorneys for her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, outlined these findings. Primary progressive aphasia is a neurological syndrome that disrupts one’s ability to communicate, while frontotemporal dementia is associated with changes in behavior and personality, along with language difficulties. This information was corroborated by Williams’ team in a statement earlier this year.
The guardianship case is intertwined with a lawsuit filed by Morrissey against A&E Television Networks and Lifetime Entertainment Services. This lawsuit stems from the release of the docuseries “Where is Wendy Williams?” which Morrissey alleges exploited Williams during a vulnerable time for financial gain. In a memorandum filed, attorneys for Morrissey sought permission for certain sensitive information to be redacted from the public’s view to ensure Williams’ privacy, maintaining that these redactions do not detract from understanding the vital facts and arguments in the case.
Williams’ health challenges have been a matter of public speculation and concern since 2017 when she fainted live on air. She has been open about her battles with addiction and health issues, including her time spent in a sober house and her diagnosis of Graves’ disease. Following a series of health-related absences, her show was eventually taken over by Sherri Shepherd in 2022, leading to the cancellation of “The Wendy Williams Show.”
Morrissey’s lawsuit asserts that Williams was unable to grant consent to be filmed for the docuseries and that the project disregarded her well-being for profitability. The complaint highlights the need for the resulting profits from the series to be allocated to Williams to support her ongoing medical care.
While A&E has not yet publicly responded in detail to the lawsuit, they have previously indicated that they anticipate the unsealing of their legal documents, which they claim would present a more nuanced narrative. The filmmakers of the docuseries mentioned that they were unaware of the severity of Williams’ condition during production but recognized varying degrees of her presence throughout filming.
As Wendy Williams navigates these challenging times, her story serves as a reminder of the need for compassion and understanding towards those facing health difficulties. There is hope that through this legal battle, necessary support systems can be established for her wellbeing, while also raising awareness about mental health issues.