The son of former US broadcaster and media personality Wendy Williams, Kevin Hunter Jr., has shed more light on his mother’s health situation, revealing details about her diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia during an interview for the Lifetime documentary “Where Is Wendy Williams?”
“[Doctors] basically said that because she was drinking so much, it was starting to affect her headspace and her brain. So, I think they said it was alcohol-induced dementia,” explained Kevin, 23, during the Sunday, February 25, episode of the two-part series.
Alcohol-related dementia is a form of cognitive impairment resulting from prolonged heavy alcohol consumption. Over time, it can cause brain damage impacting daily tasks such as cooking and managing finances.
The symptoms of alcohol-related dementia and age-related dementia are similar, including memory problems, concentration issues, and emotional control difficulties.
A representative for Wendy Williams addressed the public’s concerns about her health in a statement released on February 22 ahead of the documentary’s release.
“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 read.
Wendy, 59, was diagnosed with both primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2023. While dementia affects memory, aphasia impacts communication. Both diagnoses have presented significant challenges in Wendy’s life.
The representative emphasized the decision to share Wendy’s diagnosis information was difficult but aimed to advocate for understanding and compassion while raising awareness about her conditions.
Wendy’s health struggles became public after leaving her talk show in 2021 due to Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder, and lymphedema, swelling from a lymphatic system blockage.
Fans had expressed concerns about Wendy’s health, especially after a 2017 incident where she fainted during a live Halloween episode taping.
In response to the dementia and aphasia diagnoses, Wendy issued a statement on February 23, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming response from fans. She acknowledged the power of unity and the need for compassion during challenging times.
