Wendy Williams’ health struggles through the years: dementia, aphasia and more

Wendy Williams has suffered several health setbacks that have caused her to press pause on her career.

The former “Wendy Williams Show” host — who has struggled with addiction and thyroid issues among other ailments — announced that she was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia in February 2024.

Here is a look into Williams’ health battles over the years.

On-air fainting

Wendy Williams worried fans when she passed out live on her eponymous talk show in 2017.

Williams terrified audience members in October 2017 when she fainted live on television.

The TV host was dressed in a Statue of Liberty costume for a festive Halloween episode when she passed out on air.

Producers rushed on set to assist her when the broadcast cut to a commercial.

Shortly after collapsing, she was back on air and told the audience she “overheated” in her costume.

“That was not a stunt,” she said with a smile, making light of the scary incident. “I’m overheated in my costume and I did pass out. But you know what? I’m a champ and I’m back.”

Sick days

The talk show host had to cancel filming over her flu-like symptoms in 2018. Getty Images

Williams canceled a few episodes of her show in February 2018 after experiencing flu-like symptoms.

“Wendy is still experiencing flu-like symptoms, and so she can rest up and get better, we have decided to cancel tapings the rest of the week,” a spokesperson for the show told Page Six at the time.

She later clarified that she did not have the flu but felt “flu-ish” and told fans that this was the first time she had taken a sick day in 25 years.

Williams was back on air a week later.

Graves’ disease

Williams was in and out of the hospital due to her Graves’ disease in 2019. Courtesy of The Wendy Williams Show/Debmar-Mercury

Williams had several hospitalizations in January 2019 when her Graves’ disease — an autoimmune disorder that can cause an overactive thyroid — forced her to take a hiatus from her talk show.

As Page Six reported, she endured a long hospital stay as she got her health in order.

“Wendy will be under the strict supervision of her physicians, and as part of her care, there will be significant time spent in the hospital,” her family said in a statement at the time.

“Despite her strong desire to return, she is taking a necessary, extended break from her show to focus on her personal and physical well-being.”

She had to take a hiatus from her show. Lifetime

Nick Cannon stepped in to host her show in her absence.

A few months later, she made her return to television and was back to conducting her hosting duties, at which time, she detailed her health battle.

“I’m at home, and I’m taking my thyroid meds, and I’m meditating,” Williams said, adding that she saw several doctors and underwent many tests to get back on her feet.

Addiction

Williams, who had been open about her cocaine addiction, entered a sober home in 2019. WireImage

Following her March 2019 return to the small screen, her Hunter Foundation announced the launch of a substance abuse hotline, leading fans to believe the former addict had relapsed.

Shortly after, Williams came clean and admitted that she was living in a sober house.

“You know I’ve had a struggle with cocaine in my past,” she told her audience through tears. “I never went to a place to get the treatment … there are people in your family, it might be you … I want you to know more of the story.”

She was also attending meetings to aid in her struggles. thewendyexperiencepodcast/Instagram

The talk show host said that she was also attending meetings to help her deal with her addiction.

“After I go to the Pilates and go to several meetings all around town in the tri-state area, I see my brothers and sisters caught up in their addiction and looking for help,” she said. “They don’t know I’m Wendy. They don’t care I’m Wendy. It’s the brothers and sisters caught up in the struggle. It’s been really interesting, this ride.”

She said that only her husband, Kevin Hunter, knew of her sober living situation, though sources told Page Six that her “controlling” partner was the reason behind her stay.

Her marriage to ex-husband Kevin Hunter fell apart while she remained in the sober home. WireImage

At the time, her marriage was falling apart amid Hunter’s alleged affair with Sharina Hudson. Page Six confirmed that Hudson gave birth to Hunter’s child while Williams remained in the sober facility.

The drama was too much for Williams and she relapsed. Williams was rushed to the hospital after getting drunk and needed to have an IV to sober up.

Williams subsequently filed for divorce from Hunter after nearly 22 years of marriage in April 2019.

Lymphedema

Williams confirmed her lymphedema diagnosis in 2019. TheImageDirect.com

Williams’ lymphedema was revealed when she was spotted in paparazzi photos with swollen ankles in 2019.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the condition is caused by a blockage in the lymphatic system, part of the immune and circulatory systems.

She announced that she was seeking treatment and purchased an at-home machine to help ease her side effects.

Her issues worsened over the years and in 2022, Williams revealed that she had “maybe five percent” feeling left in her feet due to her lymphedema battle.

Weight Loss

Williams lost a significant amount of weight in 2020. WireImage

Williams revealed her dramatic 25-pound weight loss during her eponymous talk show’s 12th season in September 2020.

At the time, the slimmed-down media personality admitted to losing her appetite.

“Food became disgusting to me,” she explained to her viewers. “I was cooking at first and it was all good, I was shoveling stuff in my mouth.”

She explained that food became “disgusting” to her at the time. News Licensing / MEGA

She was documenting her home cooking on social media but said that after a while, she lost interest.

“Everything from hot dogs to lobster, but then it became I’m done with food,” she said.

Seeking treatment

Williams was in and out of treatment facilities throughout the 2021-2022 season of her show. Lifetime

In September 2021, Wiliams checked into a wellness center in Miami. A year later, she was back in rehab for substance abuse issues.

Amid her sobriety struggles, she was absent from the 2021-2022 season of her show, which aired its final episode in June 2022 after 13 years on air.

That same year, she was placed under a court-ordered guardianship after being deemed an “incapacitated person.”

She filmed her mental and physical battles, which were captured for her February 2024 Lifetime documentary, “Where is Wendy Williams.”

Dementia and Aphasia

She announced her diagnosis of dementia and aphasia in February 2024. Felipe Ramales / SplashNews.com

Williams’ team announced that she was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia in February 2024.

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“As Wendy’s fans are aware, in the past she has been open with the public about her medical struggles with Graves’ Disease and Lymphedema as well as other significant challenges related to her health,” a press release stated.

Williams revealed the prognosis while living in a treatment facility. MEGA

Williams underwent several medical tests in 2023 after her memory started to fail and she began to “lose words” and “act erratically.”

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a group of disorders that occur when nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are lost, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. The condition can affect behavior, personality, language and movement.

“Receiving a diagnosis has enabled Wendy to receive the medical care she requires,” the statement said.

She announced her diagnosis to spread awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. News Licensing / MEGA

Williams is apparently still able to do many things on her own and she has maintained her “trademark sense of humor.”

“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 statement continued.

While receiving care at a treatment facility, her family claimed they had been unable to contact her.