Prominent US media personality, Wendy Williams, has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), her representatives revealed in a statement on Thursday.
The conditions, which affect language, communication abilities, behavior, and cognitive functions, respectively, have been a challenge for Williams in recent years.
The statement outlined Williams’ ongoing struggles with cognitive decline, noting that she received her diagnosis in 2023 and is currently undergoing medical treatment.
Despite the challenges posed by her conditions, Williams is still able to manage some tasks independently and is grateful for the support she receives.
“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,” the statement reads.
“In 2023, after undergoing a battery of medical tests, Wendy was officially diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Receiving a diagnosis has enabled Wendy to receive the medical care she requires. Wendy is still able to do many things for herself. She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way.”
The announcement comes in the wake of Williams’ recent disclosure of financial struggles in a trailer for her upcoming documentary, ‘Where Is Wendy Williams?’.
This revelation adds to her health challenges, as in 2018, she announced her diagnosis of Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland.
In 2021, she took a leave of absence from her show due to health issues, and the show concluded in 2022.
