Former talk show host Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with a disease called dementia and aphasia, she and her medical team said in a statement released on Thursday.
Williams has been open in the past about her prolonged health struggles, which included Graves’ disease and a thyroid condition.
The 59-year-old former host of “The Wendy Williams Show” was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2023 and those diagnoses have “enabled Wendy to receive the medical care she requires,” as per to the press release.
The decision to share this news was hard and made after careful consideration,” the statement said, “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 exact circumstances.
Wendy is still able to do many stuffs for herself. 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 National Aphasia Association describes primary progressive aphasia is “a neurological syndrome in which language capabilities become slowly and progressively impaired.”