Controversial talk show host diagnosed with dementia, aphasia
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Wendy Williams, a popular and controversial talk show host, has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), her team confirmed in a recent press release.
This announcement has not only shocked her fans worldwide but also raised awareness about these lesser-known neurological conditions.
Williams, who hosted The Wendy Williams Show from 2008 to 2021, has been a prominent figure in the American entertainment industry.
However, her health has been a topic of public discussion for several years, with her recent diagnosis shedding light on the struggles she has been facing behind the scenes.
The press release stated, 'Over the past few years, questions have been raised… about Wendy’s ability to process information and many have speculated about Wendy’s condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions.'
Her team revealed that in 2023, after undergoing a series of medical tests, Williams was officially diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.
Understanding Aphasia and Frontotemporal Dementia
Aphasia is a neurological disorder caused by damage to the brain's parts responsible for language production and comprehension.
Primary progressive aphasia is a type of aphasia that gradually impairs the ability to speak, read, write, and understand what others are saying.
An estimated 140,000 Australians have aphasia.
Frontotemporal dementia, on the other hand, is a group of disorders characterised by the progressive degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas are generally associated with personality, behaviour, and language.
Symptoms can include drastic personality changes, inappropriate social behaviour, neglect of personal hygiene, overeating, or apathy.
Some 400,000 Australians have dementia in various forms. Of this, about 40,000-80,000 may have FTD.
Williams' Health Journey: A Timeline
Williams' health journey has been a public one, with her sharing her experiences with various health issues over the years.
In 2017, she fainted during a live taping of her show, later attributing the incident to overheating and low electrolytes.
Source: YouTube / Entertainment Tonight
In February 2018, she revealed to her fans and viewers that she had been living with Graves' disease for years. This immune system disorder results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones, leading to symptoms like anxiety, tremors, rapid heart rate, and weight loss.
After a lengthy hiatus from her show in 2019, Williams announced that she had been diagnosed with lymphoedema, a condition characterised by tissue swelling caused by an accumulation of protein-rich fluid. This condition usually affects the arms or legs but can also occur in other parts of the body.
Williams' show was ultimately cancelled in 2021 due to her health issues. Since then, she has been in a financial battle with Wells Fargo, claiming that the bank had denied her account access. An unnamed guardian was later put in charge of Williams' affairs.
Williams' team said they came forward with her diagnosis to raise awareness about these conditions and to support the thousands of others facing similar circumstances.
They expressed hope that with early detection and more empathy, the stigma associated with dementia could be eliminated, and those affected could receive the understanding, support, and care they deserve and need.
Despite her diagnosis, Williams’ representatives have maintained she still has her ‘trademark sense of humour’ and can still ‘do many things for herself’.
‘She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way,’ they added.
Williams' life and health struggles will be further explored in an upcoming two-part documentary titled Where Is Wendy Williams?—a show she also produced.
The documentary is set to premiere on February 24.
On a related note, Die Hard actor Bruce Willis also has aphasia and FTD. Early this year, his family shared an update about his condition, which you can see here.
What are your thoughts on Wendy Williams' diagnosis? Share your sentiments in the comments below.
This announcement has not only shocked her fans worldwide but also raised awareness about these lesser-known neurological conditions.
Williams, who hosted The Wendy Williams Show from 2008 to 2021, has been a prominent figure in the American entertainment industry.
However, her health has been a topic of public discussion for several years, with her recent diagnosis shedding light on the struggles she has been facing behind the scenes.
Williams gained fame—and infamy—with her no-holds-barred opinions on now-defunct The Wendy Williams Show. Image Credit: YouTube / Mad Beefs
The press release stated, 'Over the past few years, questions have been raised… about Wendy’s ability to process information and many have speculated about Wendy’s condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions.'
Her team revealed that in 2023, after undergoing a series of medical tests, Williams was officially diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.
Understanding Aphasia and Frontotemporal Dementia
Aphasia is a neurological disorder caused by damage to the brain's parts responsible for language production and comprehension.
Primary progressive aphasia is a type of aphasia that gradually impairs the ability to speak, read, write, and understand what others are saying.
An estimated 140,000 Australians have aphasia.
Frontotemporal dementia, on the other hand, is a group of disorders characterised by the progressive degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas are generally associated with personality, behaviour, and language.
Symptoms can include drastic personality changes, inappropriate social behaviour, neglect of personal hygiene, overeating, or apathy.
Some 400,000 Australians have dementia in various forms. Of this, about 40,000-80,000 may have FTD.
Williams' Health Journey: A Timeline
Williams' health journey has been a public one, with her sharing her experiences with various health issues over the years.
In 2017, she fainted during a live taping of her show, later attributing the incident to overheating and low electrolytes.
Source: YouTube / Entertainment Tonight
In February 2018, she revealed to her fans and viewers that she had been living with Graves' disease for years. This immune system disorder results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones, leading to symptoms like anxiety, tremors, rapid heart rate, and weight loss.
After a lengthy hiatus from her show in 2019, Williams announced that she had been diagnosed with lymphoedema, a condition characterised by tissue swelling caused by an accumulation of protein-rich fluid. This condition usually affects the arms or legs but can also occur in other parts of the body.
Williams' show was ultimately cancelled in 2021 due to her health issues. Since then, she has been in a financial battle with Wells Fargo, claiming that the bank had denied her account access. An unnamed guardian was later put in charge of Williams' affairs.
Williams' team said they came forward with her diagnosis to raise awareness about these conditions and to support the thousands of others facing similar circumstances.
They expressed hope that with early detection and more empathy, the stigma associated with dementia could be eliminated, and those affected could receive the understanding, support, and care they deserve and need.
Despite her diagnosis, Williams’ representatives have maintained she still has her ‘trademark sense of humour’ and can still ‘do many things for herself’.
‘She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way,’ they added.
Williams' life and health struggles will be further explored in an upcoming two-part documentary titled Where Is Wendy Williams?—a show she also produced.
The documentary is set to premiere on February 24.
On a related note, Die Hard actor Bruce Willis also has aphasia and FTD. Early this year, his family shared an update about his condition, which you can see here.
What are your thoughts on Wendy Williams' diagnosis? Share your sentiments in the comments below.
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