Wendy Williams is finally punching back. For years, the woman who once ruled daytime TV with a "How you doin'?" was essentially erased from public life, tucked away in a New York care facility under a legal guardianship that many—including her own family—called a prison.
But as we start 2026, the narrative around Wendy Williams has taken a sharp, almost cinematic turn.
If you haven’t been keeping up with the court filings, here is the short version: Her legal team is currently moving to blow the entire guardianship wide open. The catalyst? A bombshell medical evaluation from late 2025 that reportedly contradicts the very diagnosis that kept her locked away. For the first time in a long time, there’s a real path back to Wendy being Wendy.
The Dementia Diagnosis That Wasn't?
Back in February 2024, the world was told Wendy was suffering from primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). It was devastating. FTD is the same brutal condition affecting Bruce Willis; it’s a progressive, one-way street of cognitive decline.
Except, Wendy’s lawyers now say that isn't the whole story.
In November 2025, powerhouse attorney Joe Tacopina revealed that a top New York neurologist found no signs of frontotemporal dementia in Wendy. This is huge. FTD doesn't just "go away." If she doesn't have it now, the implication is that she likely didn't have it when the guardianship was solidified. Her team is calling it "remarkable neurological resilience," largely credited to her three years of sobriety.
✨ Don't miss: What Really Happened With the Cause of Death of Jett Travolta
"I feel like a zillion dollars!" — Wendy Williams, spotted at New York Fashion Week late last year.
Honestly, the contrast is jarring. In the 2024 Lifetime documentary Where is Wendy Williams?, we saw a woman who seemed lost, drinking vodka in her robe and struggling to remember names. Fast forward to now, and she's being seen at "megachurches" in Brooklyn and attending high-profile weddings. She's not just "better"—she's fighting for her keys back.
Why the Guardianship is Still Standing (For Now)
You’d think a clean bill of health would mean instant freedom. It’s not that simple. The legal machine moves at a snail's pace, and Wendy is still under the thumb of a court-appointed guardian, Sabrina Morrissey.
The battle is essentially a war of experts. On one side, you have the guardian’s team, who filed documents as recently as late 2024 claiming Wendy was "permanently incapacitated." On the other, you have Tacopina and a new round of neurological tests saying she’s acing mental capacity exams with perfect 10/10 scores.
- Financial Control: Wells Fargo originally froze her accounts in 2022, claiming she was of "unsound mind." That money is still managed by the guardian.
- Medical Access: Up until recently, Wendy was reportedly restricted to a "luxury dementia facility" she bluntly described as a "dump."
- Communication: She’s had seasons where she could only use a landline, though she now reportedly has an iPad and watches the news—ironically, often news about herself.
It’s a mess. A judge recently ordered her to sit for a deposition in a lawsuit her guardian filed against A&E (the parent company of Lifetime). The court ruled she was competent enough to testify for three hours a day. If she’s "competent" enough to be a witness in a lawsuit, her lawyers are arguing she’s competent enough to sign her own checks.
The Human Cost of the "Purple Chair" Vacuum
We tend to forget that behind the tabloid headlines is a woman who spent 30 years building a media empire. When The Wendy Williams Show ended in 2022, it didn't just leave a hole in the TV schedule; it left Wendy without her primary identity.
Her family—specifically her son, Kevin Hunter Jr., and her sister, Wanda—have been vocal about being shut out. For a long time, they didn't even know where she was being kept. They’ve described the guardianship as a "wall" between them and the woman they love.
👉 See also: Callista Gingrich Explained: Why Her Age and Recent Moves Are Making Waves
The most recent updates suggest that wall is crumbling. Wendy has been seen celebrating family birthdays and looks "upbeat and fully present," according to those close to the situation. There’s a grit there that people underestimated.
What Really Happened With the Money?
The whole saga started with a bank. Wells Fargo’s decision to freeze her accounts was "highly unusual," to put it mildly. They claimed she was a victim of "undue influence and financial exploitation."
There were whispers about people in her inner circle taking advantage of her. But the irony of the guardianship is that it costs a fortune to maintain. Legal fees, guardian fees, and facility costs have likely drained a significant portion of the estate she was supposedly being "protected" for.
Actionable Insights: What to Expect Next
If you’re following the Wendy Williams saga, the next few months are the endgame. Here is what you should be watching for:
- The Termination Filing: Tacopina has stated he expects the guardianship to be terminated early this year. If the judge resists, expect a demand for a jury trial.
- The Podcast or Comeback: Wendy has been talking about a podcast for years. If she wins her freedom, she’ll likely head straight for a microphone.
- The Medical Record Unsealing: There is growing pressure to unseal parts of her medical records to reconcile the conflicting dementia diagnoses.
The reality is that Wendy Williams is 61 years old and has survived Graves' disease, lymphedema, and severe addiction. Whether she ever returns to a purple chair or not, the current legal push isn't about a TV show—it's about the right to live her life on her own terms. Keep an eye on the New York Supreme Court filings; that’s where the final chapter of this story is being written.
To stay informed, monitor the official statements from the Tacopina Law Firm and court updates regarding the New York County Supreme Court guardianship proceedings. Supporting organizations that advocate for guardianship reform, like the National Center for State Courts, can also provide broader context on why cases like Wendy's are so difficult to untangle.