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The Ocean Township native's team issued a statement on Thursday, Feb. 22 to "correct inaccurate and hurtful rumors about her health." The release confirmed Williams was diagnosed in 2023 with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.
Williams' reps said there had been speculation about the former New York City radio DJ's mental condition when she started to forget words, act erratically sometimes, and had trouble understanding financial transactions.
Williams, 59, was born in Asbury Park and graduated from Ocean Township High School. Her syndicated TV talk show ended in 2022 after she had several health concerns, including Graves' disease and lymphedema.
In 2020, Williams sold her Livingston mansion for $1.4 million, as reported by Daily Voice.
Actor Bruce Willis was also diagnosed with aphasia in the spring of 2022. The condition that affects communication has started to create challenges for Williams, according to her team.
The statement did say Williams received "extraordinary" care at Weill Cornell Medicine and the diagnosis has helped her receive the treatment she requires.
"Wendy is still able to do many things for herself," the news release said. "Most importantly she maintains her trademark sense of humor and is receiving the care she requires to make sure she is protected and that her needs are addressed. She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way."
The announcement came two days before a Lifetime documentary was scheduled to be released and the network's website said it will show the media personality's life since the end of her talk show.
"The documentary provides a raw, honest, and unfiltered reality of Wendy’s life after she was placed under financial guardianship, shedding light on the vulnerabilities that has turned Wendy into the hot topic herself," the show's description on Lifetime's website said. "Suffering mental and physical issues, Wendy’s delicate state of mind, erratic behavior, and declining health were all captured by the cameras."
The two-part "Where Is Wendy Williams?" documentary will premiere on Lifetime at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24.
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