Wendy Williams Returns to NYFW After 6 Years Amid Health Battle

Wendy Williams has made a surprise return to New York Fashion Week after a six year absence. The former broadcaster and host’s unexpected visit comes amid her ongoing legal guardianship and a battle with dementia.

Williams attended Bach Mai’s show on September 14, sitting in the front row alongside Diandra Brown and Moon Chang. She wore a black wrap minidress with a wide black Gucci belt along with a pair of chunky black and white Chanel sneakers. She accessorized with a large silver ‘W’ necklace and a cross necklace, along with a row of bangles on her left arm. She wore her long hair down in waves with blonde highlights.

Williams was spotted the following day walking through the streets of New York City in a yellow and black plaid short suit that served some serious Clueless vibes. She paired the suit with a white top, a straw Gucci bag, and her silver ‘W’ necklace.

In 2022, a year after Williams left her talk show, a court appointed her with a legal guardian, responsible for overseeing her life and finances. People reported that Williams was moved into a facility in April 2023.

Williams announced she had primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in a statement last year, following a 2023 diagnosis. “As Wendy’s fans are aware, in the past, she has been open with the public about her medical struggles with Graves’ Disease and Lymphedema as well as other significant challenges related to her health,” the statement read. “Over the past few years, questions have been raised at times about Wendy’s 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.”

The statement then clarified her diagnosis, before adding, “Wendy 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. She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way.”

In March of this year, The New York Post reported that Williams wrote a letter reading “Help! Wendy!!” and dropped it from the window of her facility. Williams was later taken from her assisted living facility by NYPD to a hospital for a welfare check. 

Williams is currently embroiled in a legal battle in an attempt to reverse her guardianship. Williams claims that she is “not incapacitated” by her condition. However, in court documents obtained by People, her guardian Sabrina Morrissey claims that Williams is “cognitively impaired, permanently disabled, and legally incapacitated.”

Last month, People obtained legal documents that indicate Williams had completed a “significant number of tests (both medical and neuropsychological) and scans (including brain imaging)” and that courts had determined that Williams’ guardianship would be upheld.