Wendy Williams’ Brain Dangerously Damaged from Alcohol and She’s Had Several Near Death Scares

Wendy Williams’ Brain Dangerously Damaged from Alcohol and She’s Had Several Near Death Scares

Wendy Williams’ family members are speaking out about the alcohol addiction that contributed to the downfall of the popular chat show host. 

The former The Wendy Williams Show host’s niece, Alex Finnie, spoke to People about her aunt’s downward spiral in this week’s cover story. 

“We’ve all seen the images over the last few months — and, really, few years — of what has seemed like a spiral for my aunt,” Alex told the outlet. “It was shocking and heartbreaking to see her in this state.”

Alex appears with her aunt and other family members in the new Lifetime documentary, Where Is Wendy Williams, which premieres on February 24. The documentary will detail how substance abuse issues led to the host being forced into a court-ordered guardianship.

The topic of the documentary, which began filming in August 2022, was originally set to follow Wendy’s comeback as a budding podcaster. The project took a dark turn as cameras filmed Wendy struggling with alcohol addiction and multiple health issues, including Graves disease.  

The documentary’s description stated that cameras had “unparalleled access” to Wendy and her family for nearly two years. 

The camera crew shut down in April 2023, the month that Wendy entered a facility to treat “cognitive issues,” as explained by her manager, Will Selby. Her son, Kevin Hunter Jr., revealed that doctors eventually connected her autoimmune issues with alcohol use.

The family confirmed that Wendy remains in the facility to his day, isolated from friends and family, as the only person with access is a court-appointed legal guardian. 

“The people who love her cannot see her,” Wendy’s sister and Finnie’s mom, Wanda, told the mag. “I think the big is: How the hell did we get here?”

Wendy’s longtime driver spoke about his famous client forgetting errands that had just been completed.

“I don’t know what the hell is going on,” the driver shared. “I think she’s losing memory. She doesn’t know who I am sometimes.”

Wendy, who has not been spotted out and about in over 200 days, claims in the film that her money was stolen by her guardian.  

Wendy’s son has also been accused of exploiting the “How You Doin’?” host for cash.

“I’ve never taken [money] without her consent,” Kevin says in the Lifetime film.  

In 2022, Wells Fargo froze Wendy’s bank accounts and filed a petition for temporary guardianship, arguing that Wendy was the “victim of undue influence and financial exploitation,” according to her former attorney, LaShawn Thomas. In May 2022, news broke that Wendy had been placed in a permanent financial guardianship.

Wendy’s health appeared to be improving that same year as she spent time with her son in Miami. Hunter reportedly had his mom following a vegan diet, and had shut down her drinking. Wendy was pressured to return to New York to resume taping her show, a request Hunter seemingly intercepted. 

“I said [to the producers], ‘No, she’s not coming back up because she needs to get better,’” Hunter says in the documentary. “I made sure that business was always on the back burner and that health was the number one priority.”

The Wendy Williams Show was canceled in June 2022. 

A production insider noted — “Wendy loved doing the show. Losing it just broke her.”

In August 2022, Wendy checked into rehab for severe alcoholism after several boozy public incidents. She previously claimed that she had been  living a sober lifestyle. 

During Wendy’s time in rehab, a brain scan was conducted, according to an insider. Subsequently, a neurologist met with the star, her 23-year-old son, Kevin Hunter Jr., and her then-husband, Kevin Hunter Sr.

“The doctor explained to them that Wendy was suffering from alcohol-related brain damage. They told her that her alcohol abuse had done permanent damage to the layers in her brain,” a source tells The U.S Sun.

The source continued, “She was warned then and there that if she continued to drink, the damage would only get worse.”

In that meeting, they outlined the potential consequences if she persisted on her current path, as per the insider. The doctors warned about the eventual decline of Wendy’s cognitive abilities, a reality that has become evident to those who have interacted with her in recent years.

“They told her that if she kept drinking she would continue to grow more forgetful, that she wouldn’t remember people’s names, and eventually, she could forget who people even were,” the insider said.

As reported, Wendy’s representatives publicly disclosed that the star had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia.

“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. Receiving a diagnosis has enabled Wendy to receive the medical care she requires.”

Sherri Shepherd took over Wendy’s time slot as the fallen host tried to rebound with a new podcast, which never materialized amid Wendy’s deteriorating health.  

The two-part documentary Where Is Wendy Williams premieres Saturday, February 24 and Sunday, February 25, at 8:00 pm ET, on Lifetime. 

 

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