Embattled talk show host Wendy Williams finds herself in a sad downward spiral, caught between a legal guardianship and her family, as revealed in the Lifetime documentary "Where Is Wendy Williams?". The four-plus-hour documentary intended to showcase Williams' comeback following the cancellation of her show in 2022, but instead, it captured a woman lost, alone, and struggling with her health.
In one chilling scene, Williams, 59, is confronted by her manager, Will Selby, about an empty vodka bottle, to which she initially admits drinking but then denies. The documentary also reveals the star's diagnosis of aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, announced just a day before the show aired.
Williams' troubles began after her 2020 divorce from husband of 20-plus years, Kevin Hunter, who had fathered a child with another woman, and the death of her mother that same year. "Her world fell apart and she lost it," a close source tells Star, with others noting that her drinking escalated during this time.
In 2022, following a series of medical issues and a stay in a sober facility, Williams was placed under a court-ordered guardianship after her bank, Wells Fargo, claimed she was "the victim of undue influence and financial exploitation." The guardian, New York lawyer Sabrina Morrissey, effectively cut Williams off from her family, leading to complaints from her son, nephew, sister, and brother about limited access to the star and concerns about manipulation.
The filmmakers also noted that Williams' basic needs were not being met, with producer Mark Ford telling The Hollywood Reporter, "Wendy would be left without food, completely on her own in that apartment with stairs that she could easily fall down. There was no one there 24/7."
Williams' ex-husband, Kevin Hunter, has demanded to see her bank records in their divorce case after a mediation judge claimed that the star has no money. In new divorce filings obtained by The U.S. Sun, Hunter claimed that despite assurances from Williams' guardian and attorney, he was never provided with the promised financial records.
One source close to the negotiations revealed that during a December 2022 meeting, the mediator told Hunter and his team, "The reality is that there is no more money." However, the insider claimed that no proof was offered to support the allegation that Williams is broke.
The insider argued that it was Wells Fargo, not Williams, who stopped the payments to Hunter that were agreed to in the marital settlement agreement, and the guardian continued the payment stoppage. They questioned how a financial advisor or guardian could stop paying Hunter something that was set out in a previous court order.
In a shocking revelation, The U.S. Sun reported on February 22, 2024, that Williams was diagnosed with alcohol-related brain damage in 2019 during a rehab stint in Florida, which her son confirmed in the Lifetime documentary. An insider said that a neurologist explained to Williams, her son, and ex-husband that her alcohol abuse had done permanent damage to her brain, warning her that continued drinking would lead to worsening memory issues and eventual inability to recognize people.
Following the story, Williams' team released a statement acknowledging her diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia and aphasia in 2023, stating that the decision to share the news was made "not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy, but to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and support the thousands of others facing similar circumstances."
As Williams continues to struggle with her health and legal issues, her family remains frustrated by their inability to care for the ailing star due to the court-ordered guardianship. The question of whether anyone can truly help Wendy Williams remains unanswered as she navigates this difficult period in her life.
