Media personality Wendy Williams, 59, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and primary progressive aphasia (PPA) last year, her team announced on February 22, 2024. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
Media personality Wendy Williams, 59, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and primary progressive aphasia (PPA) last year, her team announced today.
The former syndicated talk show host of „The Wendy Williams Show” opened up to fans about living with them. Graves' diseaseAn autoimmune disorder that can cause an overactive thyroid, and Lymphatic swellingFluid accumulation in soft body tissue, Williams' latest diagnoses are „false and hurtful rumors about her health,” her reps said in a statement.
„Over the years, questions have sometimes been raised about Wendy's ability to process information.” The report was read. „Many have speculated about Wendy's condition, particularly as she began to lose her words, sometimes acted erratically, and had difficulty understanding financial transactions.”
The press release calls for greater empathy for people with aphasia and dementia, especially those who face stigma prior to diagnosis. Actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with aphasia in 2022 and FTD in 2023.
In 2023, Williams' team did not mention that they received this diagnosis, but praised the work of the experts Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City.
„Wendy is still able to do many things for herself,” the statement said. „Most importantly, she maintains her trademark sense of humor and gets the care she needs to ensure she is protected and her needs are addressed.”
News of Williams' health comes just two days before the premiere „Where's Wendy Williams?” Throughout life. The four-episode series is scheduled to go on air from February 24-25, and will include information about his mental and physical health issues.
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What is frontotemporal dementia?
FTD is a progressive disorder caused by damaged neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. According to FTD is rare National Institute on Aging, tends to occur at a younger age than other types of dementia. 60% of people with FTD are adults between the ages of 45-64.
According to the agency, FTD symptoms include:
- Difficulty walking
- Difficulty at work
- Emotional problems
- Difficulty communicating
- Abnormal behaviors
There is no cure or cure for FTD, but patients' symptoms can be managed. Life expectancy for a person living with the disease is difficult to predict, ranging from less than two years to more than 10 years after diagnosis, according to the NIA.
What is Primary Progressive Aphasia?
BPA is caused by the degeneration of brain tissue important for speech and language National Aphasia Association. This syndrome is triggered by neurodegenerative diseases such as FTD.
There are different early stages of PPA, including fluent aphasia, in which a person has an increased rate of word production, and non-fluent aphasia, in which a person speaks fewer words than normal.
Not all people with BPA can speak or understand spoken or written language, even if their behavior seems normal, the NAA says. Speech-language pathologists can help patients manage symptoms and develop new communication strategies because there is no cure.
Learn more about aphasia and dementia: