Wendy Williams’ fans were left heartbroken after her medical team revealed that she was diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.
The former talk show host, 59, received the heartbreaking diagnosis last year. According to her medical team, the conditions – which are also the same conditions affecting actor Bruce Willis – ‘have already presented significant hurdles in Wendy’s life.’
In a statement, the team explained that Wendy can still do many things on her own.
“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. She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way,” the statement added.
Aphasia is a disorder that impacts a person’s ability to write, speak, and understand language, both written and verbal.
According to Mayo Clinic, the condition “typically occurs suddenly after a stroke or a head injury. But it can also come on gradually from a slow-growing brain tumor or a disease that causes progressive, permanent damage (degenerative).”
Frontotemporal dementia or FTD is an umbrella term for a group of brain diseases that affect the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes, which are associated with personality, language, and behavior.
Symptoms can include changes in behavior and personality, loss of speech and language skills, and physical symptoms such as spasms and tremors.
Williams has been working with specialists at Weill Cornell Medicine after her diagnosis. She has dealt numerous health conditions, including lymphedema and Graves’ disease.
Her niece, Alex, told PEOPLE: “She sounds really great. To hear my aunt now in terms of just how clear she is, just how focused she is on the importance of family and the reality in terms of facing and understanding where she’s at physically and mentally and emotionally, it is like a 180.”
Williams’ sister, Wanda Finnie, also said: “I don’t know what is working, but I do know that when she did reach out to me, it was a person who is remarkably different than what we see in that documentary (Where is Wendy Williams?).”
Last year, Bruce Willis’ family revealed that he was diagnosed with FTD after being diagnosed with aphasia in 2022.
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