Wendy Williams’ Aphasia and Dementia Diagnosis Is the Same as Bruce Willis

Talk show host and larger-than-life television personality Wendy Williams has announced that she has been suffering from primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) since 2023. Actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with the same conditions in 2023, and has since retired from acting. Williams herself has stopped hosting The Wendy Williams Show, which ended in 2022 after 14 seasons and more than 1,500 episodes.

A new Lifetime docuseries, Where Is Wendy?, is set to explore Wendy Williams’ life, career, and health struggles. The documentary was filmed in 2022, a difficult year for Williams, as she was placed under financial conservatorship. The synopsis from A+E Networks for the two-night documentary event reads as follows:

“After Wendy Williams was placed under a financial guardianship and her hit talk show was unexpectedly canceled, she was determined to make a career comeback. Opening the doors to her private life like never before, cameras chronicled her comeback journey to reclaim her life and legacy despite facing health issues and personal turbulence.

“With unparalleled access granted by Wendy to film with her and her family for nearly two years, what was captured was not what anyone expected. The four and a half hour, two-night documentary event,

Where is Wendy Williams?


will debut on
Saturday, February 24 and 25 at 8pm ET/PT

on Lifetime.

On the Friday night prior on February 23, Lifetime will encore
Wendy’s biopic,

Wendy Williams: The Movie


and her 2021 documentary,

Wendy Williams: What a Mess

.”

Related: The Best Late Night Talk Shows (in America) of All Time, Ranked

Where Is Wendy Williams: A Health Update

A full press statement was released by William’s team at 8:40 A.M. Feb. 22, 2024. It reads as follows:

“On behalf of Wendy Williams Hunter, her care team is sharing this very personal update with her cherished fans, friends, and supporters to correct inaccurate and hurtful rumors about her health.

As Wendy’s fans are aware, in the past she has been open with the public about her medical struggles with Graves’ Disease and Lymphedema as well as other significant challenges related to her health.

“Over the past few years, questions have been raised at times about Wendy’s ability to process information and many have speculated about Wendy’s condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions.

“In 2023, after undergoing a battery of medical tests, Wendy was officially diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Aphasia, a condition affecting language and communication abilities, and frontotemporal dementia, a progressive disorder impacting behavior and cognitive functions, have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy’s life.

“Wendy would not have received confirmation of these diagnoses were it not for the diligence of her current care team, who she chose, and the extraordinary work of the specialists at Weill Cornell Medicine. Receiving a diagnosis has enabled Wendy to receive the medical care she requires. The decision to share this news was difficult and made after careful consideration, 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.

“Unfortunately, many individuals diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia face stigma and misunderstanding, particularly when they begin to exhibit behavioral changes but have not yet received a diagnosis. There is hope that with early detection and far more empathy, the stigma associated with dementia will be eliminated, and those affected will receive the understanding, support, and care they deserve and need.

“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 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.”

Throughout the airing of the program and on Lifetime’s social media platforms, Lifetime will drive messaging to mylifetime.com/WendyWilliams, directing viewers to a range of resources including SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), NAMI for Mental Health Resources, and information and resources for Graves’s Disease and Lymphedema.

Where is Wendy Williams? is produced by Entertainment One (eOne) and Creature Films for Lifetime. Executive producers include Wendy Williams, Kevin Hunter Jr, Will Selby, Tara Long, Mark Ford, Pat Lambert and Erica Hanson who also serves as showrunner. Brie Miranda Bryant serves as executive producer for Lifetime.