‘Breaks My Heart to See Her like This’: Wendy Williams’ Outing amid Dementia Battle Sparks Concern Among Fans

Media mogul Wendy Williams, 60, was recently spotted at the Florida International University (FIU) in Miami on December 19 to cheer on her beloved son at his graduation ceremony. Her appearance prompted comments of concern from social media users who are heartbroken over her ongoing battle with dementia.

Seated on a black and red electric wheelchair adorned with unique personal touches — including a black pouch featuring an NYC logo, a Chanel badge, and a smiley face — the former TV host had all eyes on her.

She looked radiant in a shimmering, glittery ensemble paired with Chanel No. 5 shoes, which elevated the avant-garde, high-fashion look. The beloved former talk show host completed her outfit with a Louis Vuitton over-the-shoulder purse and black handbag.

Emotion flowed freely as Wendy, surrounded by loved ones, beamed with pride and wiped away tears during the ceremony.

From her seat in the audience, Wendy watched her and her ex-husband Kevin Hunter’s son, Kevin Hunter Jr., who was dressed in a traditional cap and gown, walk across the stage to receive his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs.

His achievement held even greater significance, as it marked the culmination of years of perseverance, during which Kevin Jr. took a hiatus from his studies to provide care for his ailing mother.

The special day was also a family affair, as Wendy’s father, Thomas Williams Sr., was spotted sitting next to his daughter in the crowd. At 93 years old, Thomas attended the ceremony in a wheelchair, assisted by Wendy’s sister Wanda Finnie, who also looked chic for the occasion.

The ceremony radiated a sense of familial love and celebration, made even more poignant by Kevin’s remarkable journey to graduation. Beginning his college journey at Barry University before transferring to FIU, Kevin’s path reflected both resilience and dedication.

Social media was flooded with emotional reactions following Wendy’s appearance at the graduation, as fans expressed a mixture of heartbreak, nostalgia, and prayers for the beloved media icon.

“Her rapid decline and deterioration breaks my heart 😞,” remarked a heartbroken fan, while another echoed the sentiment, “Breaks my heart to see her like this I miss her in her hot topics chair 😢.”

A simple yet poignant comment from someone else read, “Devastating.” Admirers also reflected on the impact Wendy has had on their lives, with one sharing, “Shocking but at least is still her spirit….wish her the best… growing up she made me laugh soooooooo many times I’ll be forever thankful 😍.”

“That’s so sad. I always loved her radio show. She’s too young. I hope she isn’t suffering too much,” added a fellow long-time supporter.

Expressing deep sympathy, an Instagrammer penned, “I really feel so sorry for her. Seeing this is giving goosebumps.” Another expressed disbelief and compassion, asserting, “My heart I can’t believe this ❤️.”

“Praying for Wendy 🙏🏼,” highlighted one fan, while another noted, “This is hard to watch 💔.” Amid the sorrow, came a message of optimism and encouragement, with the admirer writing, “Make it fashionable Aunty. Praying for you 🙏🏽😍.”

Wendy’s widely discussed appearance at Kevin Jr.’s graduation highlights only one moment that showcases the love she has for her son. The TV star has often spoken fondly about him.

One instance that saw her do so was during an interview in 2015, where she opened up about her then-teenage son, offering a glimpse into their dynamic.

“As for teenagers, my son’s a nice boy. He’s very mannerable. Everyone who meets him says he’s so respectful,” disclosed Wendy Williams, painting a picture of a young man whose upbringing was steeped in kindness and courtesy.

Continuing, she divulged, “He has his jerkish ways, but he doesn’t do anything to warrant full-blown punishment.” Although she acknowledged the typical growing pains of adolescence, Wendy’s comments reflected her deep love and understanding for her son.

As mentioned earlier, Kevin Jr. has also shown up for his mom amid her ongoing battle with dementia and aphasia. Last month (November 2024), media reports provided updates on her health, which sent social media into a tailspin, as many flocked to comment sections to express their heartbreak over the news.

The TV icon was declared “cognitively impaired and permanently incapacitated,” according to court documents obtained by USA Today. Attorneys for her legal guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, revealed the update in a filing from early November, describing the 60-year-old’s cognitive decline as severe.

Wendy’s health struggles became public earlier this year. In February 2024, her care team issued a public statement to provide clarity on rumors and share updates on her condition.

“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,” the statement began.

As the statement mentioned, Wendy has been candid about her health challenges for years, like in 2018 when her representative disclosed that she had been managing Graves’ Disease and hyperthyroidism for a long time. During an unplanned hiatus at the time, her talk show aired repeat episodes as she focused on her recovery.

In their February statement, Wendy’s care team disclosed that she was officially diagnosed in 2023 with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), disorders that affect language, behavior, and cognitive abilities. Specialists at Weill Cornell Medicine identified the conditions following extensive medical tests.

According to the care team, early signs included “difficulty understanding financial transactions,” loss of words, and, at times, erratic behavior.

Sharing the news was not an easy decision. “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,” contextualized the team.

The team also emphasized the importance of early intervention and care for those affected, adding, “There is hope that with early detection and far more empathy, the stigma associated with dementia will be eliminated.”

Despite the challenges, Wendy remains involved in her care decisions. “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,” concluded the care team.

Apart from the continuous battle with her health challenges, Wendy has also faced financial difficulties tied to her condition.

In January 2022, her bank, Wells Fargo, raised concerns about her ability to manage her finances, resulting in the court appointing Sabrina as her legal guardian. Sabrina now oversees Wendy’s personal and financial affairs.

To protect Wendy’s privacy, Sabrina requested the court seal sensitive details from the guardianship proceedings.

“The proposed redactions are very narrowly drawn and do not undermine the public’s ability to understand the core facts and legal arguments at issue in this litigation or to otherwise monitor the federal courts’ execution of their judicial function,” explained Sabrina’s attorneys.

The challenges surrounding Wendy’s health and finances have extended into legal disputes regarding the portrayal of her struggles.

One instance saw Sabrina oppose the release of “Where Is Wendy Williams?”, a docuseries following Wendy’s withdrawal from public life. She first attempted to block Lifetime from airing the series, but a court ruled in the network’s favor, citing free speech protections.

In her lawsuit against A&E Television Networks and Lifetime Entertainment Services, Sabrina alleged the series exploited Wendy’s health challenges for financial gain. However, Lifetime reportedly defended the project as a “raw, honest, and unfiltered reality” of Wendy’s struggles, including her financial guardianship.

The documentary also highlighted the family’s frustration. “I think that the guardianship system is broken. We are her family and you tell me that I’m not capable of taking care of my sister — what would you do, what should I do,” said Wendy’s sister.

Although Wendy was credited as an executive producer, Sabrina argued she was not mentally capable of providing consent for the project. Additionally, Sabrina requested that profits from the series be redirected to cover Wendy’s ongoing medical care.

The news and health updates led to an outpouring of online prayers and support from fans. “Man I hate to see anyone suffer from Dementia. It is truly a devastating disease, prayers for her and the family.🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾,” expressed a Facebooker, while someone else simply wrote, “So young too.”

Another person commented, “So Sad 😞 dementia is very terrible I enjoyed watching her shows I Pray for her quick recovery 🙏🏾 [sic],” while a fellow supporter remarked, “Heartbreaking WENDY WILL FOREVER BE MY favorite talkshow [sic] hosts ❤️🙌.”

More admirers reacted with shock and sadness, struggling to grasp the rapid decline in Wendy’s health. Some wondered how such a situation could happen to a prominent TV star, while others highlighted the tragic nature of her being relatively young and going through such challenges.

Some focused on Wendy’s humanity and expressed their empathy despite the controversies of her career. Even people who did not watch Wendy’s show offered prayers and heartfelt support for her and her family during this challenging time.

As Wendy faces ongoing personal challenges, Sabrina remains dedicated to ensuring she receives the care and financial support she requires. Meanwhile, fans continue to celebrate her legacy as one of the most influential talk show hosts of her generation.