Wendy Williams was taken to hospital unexpectedly today after police performed a wellness check on her.
Once a regular on the small screen and beloved host of The Wendy Williams Show, the 60-year-old broadcaster retreated from the spotlight after being diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2023.
Since May 2022, she has been living under legal guardianship, managing her finances and health conditions.
The arrangement has not been without its controversies though as, just months ago, Williams described her guardianship as ’emotional abuse’ and compared it to prison, calling for the restrictions placed upon her life to end.
Earlier today, authorities attended Williams’ assisted living facility, a spokesperson for the New York Police Department confirmed.
They explained to People that Williams had reportedly pleaded for help.
As per The New York Post, the ex-talkshow host tossed a handwritten note out the window reading, ‘Help! Wendy!!’
It’s believed the call to police came in around 11:15am and they arrived soon after she threw the note out from the fifth floor.
Williams was later spotted at the window waving her arms while speaking on the phone, as witnessed by an NYP reporter.
Upon exiting the facility, Williams was escorted by a handful of officers and helped into the waiting ambulance, remaining silent.
News of her hospital trip soon began circulating online, with fans of Williams wishing her well, describing the development as ‘concerning’ while keeping her in their ‘prayers’.
Williams has been vocal about her resentment towards the guardianship she is under.
However, the Court previously ruled that Williams is ‘legally incapacitated’ after more than two years of observing her in different court settings and considering her medical information in several hearings.
As for the role of a guardian, they do not make medical rulings. Instead, their role is to oversee and ensure the ‘physical, emotional, and financial well-being’ of Williams to ‘safeguard her from harm and predatory conduct of others.’
Williams’ guardian did not specifically seek to be appointed by the Court but was selected due to her reputation and professional record. She is guided by the Court, and instructions from doctors.
Hitting back in January, Williams denied being ‘cognitively impaired’ while appearing on radio show The Breakfast Club.
‘Do I seem that way? God damn it! Who I naturally am is who I naturally am!’, she said.
‘I am not cognitively impaired, you know what I’m saying? But I feel like I’m in prison.
‘I’m in this place where the people are in their 90s and their 80s and their 70s… There’s something wrong with these people here on this floor.’
It was there that she also called for reform of the guardianship system, declaring it is ‘broken’.
As legal representatives for her guardian deny that she is being kept away from her loved ones—and say she is being cared for appropriately and free to make outside trips—Williams is to be re-examined by a dementia expert—as arranged by her guardian—to assess her current condition.
Meanwhile, she’s had the backing of her niece, Alex Finnie, who says her current state ‘does not match that of an incapacitated person’.
Finnie has also encouraged fans to use the hashtag #FreeWendy and has set up a fundraiser, which has since gained momentum.
The GoFundMe was first created on January 5 and, at the time of writing, is less than $3,000 away from its $50,000 (£38.8k) target.
What is aphasia?
Aphasia is a condition that impacts a person’s language skills.
This means it can cause trouble with:
- reading
- writing
- listening
- speaking
According to the NHS, it usually starts due to damage to the left side of the brain after something like, for example, a serious head injury or a stroke.
Perhaps most noticeably, people who have aphasia might have problems speaking, such as by possibly mistakenly using certain words, using the wrong sounds, or using words in the wrong order.
It does not impact a person’s intelligence, but it can emerge both by itself or alongside other health issues like mobility problems and issues with memory.
Find out more about the condition here.
As per the fundraising page, the ‘generous’ donations will ‘directly support Williams’ legal efforts and cover essential costs associated with her case’.
Funds will be utilised by paying court and attorney fees, documentation costs, consultation fees, and support services to help Williams ‘reclaim her life and independence’.
Speaking previously about her health, Williams thanked fans for their well wishes.
Releasing a statement last February, she said: ‘I want to say I have immense gratitude for the love and kind words I have received after sharing my diagnosis of Aphasia and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). Let me say, wow! Your response has been overwhelming.
‘The messages shared with me have touched me, reminding me of the power of unity and the need for compassion.
‘I want to also thank the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration for their kind words of support and their extraordinary efforts to raise awareness of FTD.’
She ended the statement: ‘I continue to need personal space and peace to thrive. Please just know that your positivity and encouragement are deeply appreciated.’
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