(NewsNation) — Talk show host Wendy Williams has been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, her team announced Thursday.
In a news release, they said people have asked questions about Williams’ 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.”
Although Williams had been open about having Graves’ Disease and Lymphedema, it wasn’t until 2023 when she underwent a “battery of medical tests” that she was given an official diagnosis of aphasia and dementia.
“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,” her team said in a statement. “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.”
The National Institute on Aging says frontotemporal disorders, or frontotemporal dementia, come from damage to neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.
Possible symptoms include unusual behaviors, emotional problems, trouble communicating, difficulty with work or difficulty with walking.
It is rare, and tends to occur in people who are younger, unlike other forms of dementia. About 60% of people with FTD are 45 to 64 years old, the NIA says.
Aphasia is a disorder that can cause varying degrees of impairment in speech or understanding language. About 2 million Americans are affected, according to the National Aphasia Association. While it often results from stroke or brain injury, it can also develop over time because of brain tumors or progressive neurological disease.
The team noted that even through all this, Williams 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,” the statement said. “She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way.”
