Wendy Williams, the former talk show host known for her outspoken personality, is facing severe health challenges that have left her "cognitively impaired, permanently disabled, and legally incapacitated," according to a court filing from her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey. The revelations come as Morrissey pursues legal action against Lifetime and its parent company, A&E Television Networks, over their documentary Where Is Wendy Williams?, which aired earlier this year.
The court documents accuse Lifetime and its collaborators of exploiting Williams' vulnerability for profit. The filing states, "This case arises from the brutally calculated, deliberate actions of powerful and cravenly opportunistic media companies... to knowingly exploit [Williams]." Morrissey alleges that the documentary was filmed and released without a valid contract or her consent, claiming Williams was "clearly incapable of consenting to being filmed, much less humiliated and exploited."
Williams, 60, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and primary aggressive aphasia in 2023, conditions that progressively impair cognitive and physical functions. Morrissey's filing describes these diagnoses as "progressive diseases, meaning that there is no cure and the symptoms only get worse over time."
Since May 2022, Williams has been under court-ordered guardianship due to ongoing health struggles, including Graves' disease, lymphedema, and past issues with alcohol and drug addiction. The guardianship oversees her health and finances, following claims by her bank, Wells Fargo, that she was "incapacitated."
In her legal action, Morrissey has requested that the court approve "narrowly applied redactions" in the lawsuit to protect details about Williams' health, finances, and familial relationships. The case, which has moved to federal court, is expected to last two to four weeks.
The defendants, including Lifetime and the documentary's executive producer Mark Ford, have countersued Morrissey. They claim Williams provided consent and participated in the documentary's production before her dementia diagnosis and the establishment of her guardianship. They argue Morrissey's lawsuit stems from her "misguided efforts to attempt to excuse her own failure to protect her ward."
Lifetime released Where Is Wendy Williams? in February despite Morrissey's attempts to block it. A&E Television Networks defended the release in a statement, maintaining that the documentary aired as planned.
Williams' health issues have left her largely isolated from family, according to her sister, Wanda Finnie, who told People that the family has had little communication with her since 2021. "How did she go from this aunt or sister that we love and is healthy one minute to this person who's in and out of the hospital?" Finnie asked. She expressed frustration with the guardianship system, adding, "I hope that at some point, Wendy becomes strong enough where she can speak on her own behalf."
Despite her challenges, Williams has expressed gratitude for public support. In February, she released a statement acknowledging her diagnosis, saying, "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."
Williams, who hosted The Wendy Williams Show from 2008 to 2022, was last seen in public in August with her son, Kevin Hunter Jr., at a holistic store in Newark, New Jersey. While her health continues to decline, her legal battle over the documentary raises pressing questions about privacy, consent, and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
