Wendy Williams' dream Manhattan penthouse has been sold by her court-appointed guardian for $3.75 million, marking a substantial loss of $822,000 from its original purchase price in July 2021. The sale, which closed on May 10, was necessitated by Williams' ongoing health and financial challenges after she was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2023.
Williams, 59, was deemed "incapacitated" and placed under a conservatorship following allegations from her financial adviser that she was of "unsound mind." This legal status led to the involvement of a guardian to manage her affairs, including the sale of her Financial District penthouse. According to The NY POST, an insider close to Williams lamented, "Wendy's dream has always been to live in Manhattan in a dream apartment but never got a chance to do so. It is a very unfortunate situation."
Prior to the sale, Williams divested all her personal belongings from the property, including her iconic purple chair, a signature piece from her "Hot Topics" segment that captivated audiences for years. Despite selling her penthouse, Williams is also dealing with significant financial burdens, including a federal tax lien for over $568,000 in unpaid taxes for 2019 and 2021.
The luxurious 2,400 square-foot penthouse, featuring three bedrooms and three bathrooms, boasts high-end amenities typical of Manhattan's elite living spaces. The main level includes a spacious living/dining room area and an open kitchen with custom stained walnut cabinetry, granite countertops, and top-of-the-line Miele and Sub-Zero appliances. The upper level houses the primary suite, adorned with an ensuite five-fixture bath with opulent marble accents and state-of-the-art fixtures. The building also offers a fitness center and a Water Club with a 60-foot lap pool, sauna, steam room, and Jacuzzi.
Williams' health issues, including Graves' Disease and lymphedema, have been well-documented, culminating in the end of her talk show in 2022. Her deteriorating health led to the appointment of a financial guardian to oversee her affairs. In March, it was revealed that Williams owed over half a million dollars in back taxes, further complicating her financial situation.
Williams' struggles were the focus of a Lifetime documentary titled "Where is Wendy Williams?" which highlighted how her alcohol consumption contributed to her declining health. The documentary crew halted filming in April 2023 when Williams entered a facility to treat cognitive issues. New details of her health decline have been disclosed by various sources, including her care team, who confirmed her diagnoses of primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Despite the challenges, Williams' care team emphasized that she maintains her sense of humor and is receiving the necessary care to address her needs. "Wendy is still able to do many things for herself. Most importantly she maintains her trademark sense of humor and is receiving the care she requires," the statement read.
The producers of the Lifetime documentary expressed their concerns about Williams' living conditions and the lack of support from her legal and financial guardian, Sabrina Morrissey. They revealed that Williams was living alone without adequate food and that Morrissey was unresponsive to calls for help. The documentary, which garnered strong ratings, painted a grim picture of Williams' current state and raised questions about her guardianship.
In February, Morrissey filed a lawsuit to prevent the airing of the documentary, alleging that it exploited Williams' vulnerable condition and portrayed her in a demeaning manner. However, an appeals court overturned the temporary restraining order, allowing the documentary to air. The court cited "impermissible prior restraint on speech that violates the First Amendment" as the rationale for allowing the broadcast.
