Wendy Williams Fights Dementia Diagnosis and Guardianship: What to Know About Her Health
The former talk show host is undergoing new tests to prove she’s not impaired
Wendy Williams’ health and legal situation has been the subject of ongoing public scrutiny, especially following her 2023 diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and primary progressive aphasia (PPA). But in recent months, the former talk show host, 60, has publicly denied having these conditions and is now fighting to end her court-ordered guardianship. We spoke with healthcare experts to break down what her diagnosis means, why some individuals may dispute cognitive impairment and how legal competency is determined.
Wendy Williams denies her dementia diagnosis
In a recent interview on The View which aired on March 14, Williams addressed her hospitalization and current living situation at Coterie, an assisted living facility in Hudson Yards, New York. Speaking alongside her caretaker, Ginalisa Monterroso, Williams refuted claims of cognitive impairment and expressed frustration over her legal guardianship. “How dare they say I have incapacitations! I do not,” she stated.
Williams, who has been under court-appointed guardianship since May 2022, insisted that she is fully competent and wants to regain control over her life. “In terms of getting out of guardianship, that is my number one, A, number one most important thing,” she shared while calling in during the March 11 episode of Good Day New York.
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She also revealed that she underwent independent medical evaluations while in the hospital and claimed that the results prove she is not incapacitated. “I passed with flying colors!” Williams said. Monterroso supported this, stating, “She’s been deemed she is not incapacitated. These independent results are from a well-known hospital. It’s factual.”
Her legal guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, maintains that Williams is “permanently disabled and legally incapacitated.” In response to Williams’ statements, Morrissey recently requested a court-mandated competency evaluation, which has been granted. The results are expected in the coming months.
A recap of Wendy Williams’ dementia diagnosis
The former The Wendy Williams Show host was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2023 after years of speculation about her health, which included difficulty processing information and erratic behavior. According to a press release from February 2024, her care team stated, “Wendy is still able to do many things for herself.”
“Frontotemporal dementia is a group of brain disorders that result in the progressive loss of function in the frontal and temporal lobes,” explains Harold Hong, MD, a Board-Certified Psychiatrist and Medical Director at New Waters Recovery. “These areas of the brain control behavior, personality, language and decision-making.” It typically affects individuals between the ages of 40 and 65 and starts with changes in mood, behavior or language, Dr. Hong says.
Primary progressive aphasia specifically affects language skills. “PPA causes a gradual loss of the ability to speak, understand language and find words. It is considered a subtype of FTD,” explains Tanner Gish, CDP, Director of Operations at Loving Homecare Inc.
In a heartfelt statement to People, Williams expressed “immense gratitude” for the love she’s received, saying, “Your response has been overwhelming… I hope others with FTD may benefit from my story.”
In November 2024, Morrissey revealed in a court filing that the former talk show host’s condition had worsened, leaving her “cognitively impaired, permanently disabled and incapacitated.”
Early warning signs of dementia and aphasia
For Williams, signs of her dementia and aphasia reportedly included difficulty processing information, confusion during financial transactions and challenges finding the right words on air. These subtle shifts in behavior and communication often signal the early stages of FTD or PPA. According to Gish, common symptoms of FTD include:
- Language difficulties: “They may struggle with finding the right words, speaking in a less coherent manner, or losing the ability to communicate effectively.”
- Behavioral changes: “Individuals may become socially inappropriate, show a lack of empathy or exhibit compulsive behaviors,” says Gish.
- Cognitive challenges: “There may also be a decline in problem-solving, planning, and executive functioning.”
Why some individuals deny their diagnosis
While we don’t know the specifics of Williams’ diagnosis and its validity, denial of a diagnosis, particularly one related to cognitive impairment, is not unheard of.
“Depending on the source of dementia, acceptance of the diagnosis varies widely. In general, it’s a small but vocal minority that rejects the diagnosis,” explains Michael Stanley, MD, Roon expert and Neurologist. “Most come to terms with the diagnosis, but it’s the specifics of the limitations it imposes (like giving up driving or working)” that can cause distress. Dr. Stanley notes that a fear of stigma, loss of independence and general lack of awareness are some of the main reasons.
In some cases, cognitive decline itself can impair judgment, making it difficult for a person to recognize their symptoms. They may experience certain conditions, according to Dr. Stanley, including anosodiaphoria (lack of concern towards a diagnosis) and anosognosia (lack of awareness). “We see denial or ignoring commonly in the behavioral variants of frontal-temporal lobe disease.”
What competency testing involves for dementia patients
Determining legal competence involves both medical and legal assessments. While not a way to diagnose dementia, competency tests evaluate a person’s capacity to make informed decisions.
However, such tests that Williams underwent differ from a medical evaluation. “Generally, a medical evaluation begins by reviewing previous history, physical exam findings, neuropsychological assessments, laboratory tests and imaging studies,” says Dr. Stanley. These evaluations may include memory assessments, problem-solving exercises and questions designed to gauge comprehension.
From a legal standpoint, competency hearings often involve court-appointed evaluators who assess whether an individual can manage their finances, healthcare and legal affairs. If someone is deemed legally incapacitated, a guardian may be appointed to make decisions on their behalf.
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