In an exclusive cover story for PEOPLE, the family of Wendy Williams has opened up for the first time about the harrowing struggles the former talk show host has faced over the last three years. The revelation comes after a prolonged period of silence and speculation surrounding Williams' well-being since her departure from television. Williams, known for her vibrant personality and no-holds-barred approach to celebrity gossip on "The Wendy Williams Show," has found her life entangled in the kind of personal dramas she once discussed on her Hot Topics segment.
Williams' niece, Alex Finnie, expressed her shock and heartbreak over her aunt's condition, stating that the images seen in recent months and years appeared to depict a downward spiral. This sentiment is echoed in the upcoming Lifetime documentary, "Where Is Wendy Williams?", set to premiere on February 24, which initially aimed to document Williams' comeback but instead captured her battles with alcohol addiction and health issues, including Graves' disease and lymphedema.
The documentary captures a particularly poignant moment, revealing Williams' confusion as she requests her driver to take her past the former studio of her show, only to have forgotten she had made the same request moments before. The driver, reflecting on Williams' state, remarked, "I don't know what the hell is going on. I think she's losing memory. She doesn't know who I am sometimes."
Filming for the documentary concluded in April 2023, coinciding with Williams' admission to a facility to address "cognitive issues" related to alcohol use, as disclosed by her manager and jeweler, Will Selby, and her son in the film. Presently, Williams' interactions are heavily restricted, overseen by a court-appointed legal guardian, leaving her family in a state of dismay and isolation from her. "The people who love her cannot see her," lamented Wendy's sister Wanda, expressing the family's incredulity at the situation's severity.
The sequence of events leading to Williams' current predicament began to unfold publicly in fall 2021, with her show facing delays and eventually proceeding without her, leading to guest hosts filling in. The situation escalated in early 2022 when her bank accounts were frozen due to concerns over her mental capacity, culminating in a temporary financial guardianship.
Despite her family's efforts to prioritize her health during a stay in Miami, the legal and production systems surrounding Williams seemed to have other priorities, resulting in her absence from the remainder of the season and the eventual appointment of an independent legal guardian over her finances and health in May 2022. The cancellation of "The Wendy Williams Show" in June marked the end of an era for Williams and her fervent fanbase.
Behind the scenes, Williams' struggles with alcohol became increasingly evident, with insiders recounting instances of her being intoxicated on air. The 2017 incident where she fainted live on television, later attributed to her Graves' disease, was an early indicator of deeper issues. Her personal life, too, was fraught with challenges, most notably her divorce from Kevin Hunter in 2019 after revelations of his infidelity and fatherhood of a child with another woman.
As Williams' family and the documentary filmmakers navigate the complexities of her current situation and the broader legal implications of guardianship in the U.S., their focus remains steadfast on her well-being. The case underscores the ongoing debate around the guardianship system, drawing parallels to other high-profile cases like that of Britney Spears. Despite the uncertainties, Williams' family holds onto hope for her recovery, eagerly anticipating her return to a healthier, more stable life.
