REPORT: Wendy Williams Diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia and Aphasia

Former talk show host Wendy Williams stunned her fans this week, and not in a good way.

Williams stepped away from her very popular talk show, “The Wendy Williams Show,” after wrapping up the 2021 season.

At the time, Williams cited medical issues for stepping away, and her fans just found out how serious those medical issues are.

Sad Ending

Williams started her career as a “shock jock,” what some called the female version of Howard Stern.

She had no problems poking the bear, and it paid off, as she had her own VH1 show called “The Wendy Williams Experience” in 2006.

Williams parlayed that into her own talk show, “The Wendy Williams Show,” in 2008, which stayed on the air until the 2021 season ended, with Williams calling it quits to concentrate on her health.

This week, Williams’ team put out a press release that announced Wiliams was dealing with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia, which is the same condition that actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with two years ago.

Her team said the press release was being put out “to correct inaccurate and hurtful rumors about her health.”

It further stated, “Unfortunately, many individuals diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia face stigma and misunderstanding, particularly when they begin to exhibit behavioral changes but have not yet received a diagnosis.”

Williams first sought out medical help when she “began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions.”

Even though she has been sidelined, Williams does have a new project about to hit the small screen.

On February 24 and 25, Lifetime will be airing “Where is Wendy Williams?,” a documentary that follows her life since she stepped away from her show and public appearances.

I have a friend with this condition, and I can tell you from personal experience, denial is not the way to go.

If you have a loved one or friend who is showing signs, be that person who pushes them to see a doctor because every day counts. Early detection is the difference between having a productive life or becoming a prisoner of this condition.