Wendy Williams, who left her daytime talk show amid personal and health struggles two years ago, has been diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.
Representatives for the beloved television personality confirmed her diagnosis in a statement shared with several media outlets on Thursday. The statement detailed concerns about the 59-year-old star's difficulty processing information, noting that she “began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions.”
The statement continues: “The decision to share this news was difficult and was made after careful consideration, not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy, but also to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and support the thousands of people who face similar circumstances. the statement said.
A representative for Williams did not immediately respond to The Times' request for comment Thursday.
The representative's letter added that people diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia are often subject to “stigma and misunderstanding” prior to their diagnosis.
Aphasia, a disease that also affects “Die Hard” actor Bruce Willis, is a neurological condition that affects a person's ability to understand and communicate with others. The National Aphasia Association. He said the disease, which is due “to an injury to the brain,” affects the ability to process language but does not affect intelligence.
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which also affects Willis, is a progressive brain disease that affects the frontal and anterior temporal lobes of the brain. It is the most common form of dementia in people diagnosed before age 60. In 2023, Dr. William Seeley, a neurologist at UC San Francisco, said an estimated 50,000 people in the United States are living with FTD. It is not clear what causes FTD.
The average life expectancy of people living with FTD is between seven and 13 years once symptoms are evident, according to the Association. for frontotemporal degeneration. Patients can take medications to relieve the symptoms of FTD, but in 2023 there was no treatment to stop or reverse the disease.
News of Williams' diagnosis broke just days before the Saturday premiere of the Lifetime documentary about the television host and the personal struggles that followed her departure from television in 2022.
Times staff writers Christi Carras and Corinne Purtill contributed to this report.
