Wendy Williams Worries: Family, Health, and Social Woes

Posted: May 8, 2024

Behind the glitz and glam of high-profile stars are the struggles and issues that they have to battle. We see them all dolled-up, ready to conquer our TV screens, but what we don’t see are the scars and struggles that they hide. It is easy to hide behind thick makeup and fashionable clothing, but one way or another, the battles just surface and resurface until there’s nothing left but to take a break. Wendy Williams is just one of the many prominent stars who had to endure such a rough patch. 

Key Takeaways:

• Wendy Williams, a prominent television host and media personality, has faced various challenges and controversies related to her family, health, and social life.
• Concerns have arisen about Williams’ well-being following her absence from her talk show, “The Wendy Williams Show,” due to health issues and other personal struggles.
• Reports of Williams’ health complications, including struggles with Graves’ disease and addiction, have sparked discussions about the importance of mental and physical health awareness.
• The article delves into the complexities of Williams’ personal life and career, highlighting the impact of her public struggles on her fans, colleagues, and the media industry.
• Despite the challenges she faces, Wendy Williams continues to be a resilient figure, admired for her candidness, charisma, and contributions to entertainment media.

Who Is Wendy Williams?

Wendy Joan Williams, born 18 July 1964, is a notable broadcaster and writer in America. From 2008 to 2021, she ran her own talk show—The Wendy Williams Show. However, before she entered television, she was a radio DJ and was popular in New York as a shock jockette. She also ventured in other business such as her own fashion, jewelry, and wig line. Additionally, she penned her own books.

In 2009, Williams got inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame. And on the year of her 50th birthday, Asbury Park’s council in New Jersey renamed the street where she grew up Wendy Williams Way. Though there is one question constantly thrown at her, and that is: “What’s Wendy Williams’ gender?” She has addressed this question multiple times, and the answer has always been female. 

What Happened to Wendy Williams?

On 17 June 2022, The Wendy Williams Show closed the curtains and aired its last episode. After almost 14 years of entertaining viewers with different prominent visitors, the show is finally bidding its audiences goodbye. According to Variety, the first to break the news on the show’s finale, Williams will not be present on the last airing. The only thing seen of Williams on the finale was a video montage of her entire TV run. But why end such a successful show? 

Williams hasn’t been present throughout the 2021-2022 airing of The Wendy Williams Show. The famous purple chair was void of the original TV host, and only guest hosts ran the show. Her absence was due to a series of health-related issues. In 2018, the famous talk show host publicly announced that she was suffering from Graves’ disease and would take a three-week leave from the show to deal with her health. In the same year, she admitted to dealing with menopause and doing college visits for her son, Kevin Hunter Jr. 

Williams took another time off because of a shoulder injury in the latter part of 2018. Then, in 2019, she was hospitalized because of Graves’ disease. On top of it all, Williams also admitted having lymphedema, which caused the swelling of her legs and arms, making it difficult for her to walk. 

What Are Wendy Williams’ Family Issues?

Behind the health issues, Wendy Williams faced an even bigger issue, which included a riff between her and her family, as revealed by her brother. According to Yahoo! News, the star’s brother, Tommy Williams, revealed in a video the shocking claim about her relationship with her son, Kevin Hunter Jr. In the YouTube video, Tommy said that Hunter Jr. flew to New York on his mother’s birthday to spend time with her. Sadly, Wendy allegedly didn’t let him in. 

Tommy Williams still claims that she cares about her sister despite how she’s acting and says that she needs to stay away from people who are doing her wrong. 

Is Wendy Williams Rich?

After years of investing much effort, dedication, and time in her career, the prominent talk show host forged millions of dollars in net worth. The Wendy Williams Show significantly increased her success, making her earn at least $10 million annually. 

Additionally, Williams ventured into several successful businesses. She authored her own books and created her own biopic. However, it isn’t all sunshine and daisies in Williams’ garden, as her health issues and divorce drained money off her. Amid the rumored drug addiction and health battles, Williams endured another storm that affected her personal life and pockets. 

In 2019, Williams’ filed for divorce from Kevin Hunter, her husband of 22 years. She was made to pay her ex-husband $250,000 on top of expensive alimony payments. Because of that, she sold their mutual luxury $2 million home in New Jersey and went to live in Manhattan, which cost her $15,000 a month. 

In recent years, Williams’ finances plunged. Her $60 million net worth in 2020 took a significant drop at the time of her divorce. Today, she continues to live luxuriously but took a step back to focus her energy on healing. 

FAQ:

What health issues has Wendy Williams faced?
Wendy Williams has faced health issues such as Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid, as well as struggles with addiction and substance abuse.
Why has Wendy Williams been absent from her talk show?
Williams has been absent from “The Wendy Williams Show” due to health issues and other personal struggles, prompting concerns and speculation about her well-being.
How has Wendy Williams’ personal life impacted her career?
Williams’ personal struggles and controversies have been closely scrutinized by the media and have affected her career, including her ability to host her talk show and maintain her public image.
What has been the public reaction to Wendy Williams’ challenges?
The public reaction to Wendy Williams’ challenges has been mixed, with many expressing concern and support for her well-being, while others engage in speculation and criticism.
What is Wendy Williams’ legacy in the entertainment industry?
Wendy Williams is known for her trailblazing career in radio and television, her candid and outspoken personality, and her contributions to entertainment media as a host, commentator, and influencer.

What Can We Learn from Wendy Williams? 

There isn’t anything wrong with chasing our dreams and expanding our careers. We all want to live a better life. However, in the process, may we not lose sight of what truly matters—ourselves and our loved ones.