Wendy Williams, once a fixture in the public eye as the beloved host of “The Wendy Williams Show,” left fans concerned with her sudden departure from the limelight. After a successful 13-year run, her show came to an abrupt end in 2022, attributed to a series of health issues plaguing the former host.
Throughout the years, Williams faced various medical setbacks, including a diagnosis of Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism in 2018, a shoulder fracture in 2019, and ongoing health issues in 2021 that prevented her return to hosting duties.
Concerns for Williams deepened following the release of the “Where is Wendy Williams?” documentary, where viewers noticed signs of cognitive difficulties and noticeable eye protrusion. Her team swiftly addressed the worries with a comprehensive statement, revealing that Williams had been grappling with a range of medical conditions.
Alongside the challenges of Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism, Williams received a new diagnosis similar to that of Bruce Willis – primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). These conditions, affecting language, communication, behavior, and cognitive functions, posed significant hurdles in Williams’ life.
However, Williams clarified that the change in her eye appearance was more closely linked to her pre-existing Graves’ disease, rather than FTD.
Turns Out Wendy Williams’ Eye Issue is Caused by Graves’ Disease!
So, back in 2018, everyone was buzzing about Wendy Williams and her eyes. Turns out, she got hit with a double whammy: Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism. She didn’t shy away from talking about it on her show, laying it all out for her audience. “My thyroid has been totally cattywampus, and that’s the eye thing you’ve been noticing. You spotted it before I did,” she said, explaining how Graves’ disease was squeezing the muscles behind her eyeballs, causing them to bulge.
Even with her doc ordering a three-week break, Wendy promised a speedier return, joking, “I’ll be back in two. I’m not a heiress. Who’s gonna pay my bills?”
Graves’ disease isn’t exactly a rarity, affecting about 1 in 100 Americans, including celebs like Missy Elliott and ex-President George H.W. Bush.
Dr. Terry Jay Smith, an endocrinologist at the University of Michigan Medical School, explained that eye inflammation and bulging are common symptoms. “About half of people with Graves’ develop this odd eye thing,” he told NBC News.
Wendy’s case caught a lot of attention, but her family says she’s on the road to recovery.
Wendy Williams is On the Road to Recovery
So, that “Where is Wendy Williams?” documentary had everyone talking, understandably. It showed a side of her that had fans really worried. But here’s some good news: she’s apparently doing a lot better now. According to her brother, Tommy, who spoke with Us Weekly, Wendy’s in a treatment facility, and her condition has improved heaps since what we saw on TV.
“When I speak to Wendy she sounds fine. Wendy has improved. I know my sister from where she was to where she is now, and she has a substantial amount of improvement. It’s dialogue and conversation, topics, content, speech pattern, everything,” he said. “The past was obvious. We saw it,” he added. “She was in a worse state, and the [documentary] movie depicted it. Now, she is in a different state.”
Even Wendy herself chimed in, breaking her silence to thank everyone for their support, especially after her diagnosis of Aphasia and Frontotemporal Dementia went public.
“I want to say I have immense gratitude for the love and kind words I have received after sharing my diagnosis of Aphasia and Frontotemporal Dementia,” she said in a statement to AP. “Let me say, wow! Your response has been overwhelming. The messages shared with me have touched me, reminding me of the power of unity and the need for compassion.”