5 Shocking Reasons Why Wendy Williams' Guardianship Was Upheld (And The Fight To End It In 2025)
The legal saga surrounding media icon Wendy Williams has reached a critical and disheartening new phase. As of late December 2025, the New York court has officially upheld her court-ordered guardianship, a decision that maintains control over her finances and welfare. This ruling follows an intensive period of medical evaluations and public scrutiny, but it is not the final chapter. The latest, most compelling update is the immediate and aggressive legal battle to overturn this upheld status, fueled by a shocking new medical evaluation that contradicts the initial diagnosis.
The situation remains a complex web of health concerns, financial management, and a high-stakes legal fight for personal freedom. This article dives deep into the specific reasons the guardianship was upheld, the medical conditions cited by the court, and the powerful new evidence her legal team is using in a desperate attempt to end the conservatorship under New York's Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law.
Wendy Williams: A Quick Profile and Biography
The woman at the center of this legal storm is a trailblazing media personality whose career spanned decades in radio and television. Her candid, no-holds-barred style made her a household name and built a massive empire.
- Full Name: Wendy Joan Williams Hunter
- Date of Birth: July 18, 1964
- Age (as of 2025): 61
- Birthplace: Asbury Park, New Jersey, U.S.
- Career Highlights: Williams began her career as a radio DJ in the late 1980s, gaining fame for her controversial and honest "shock jockette" style. She hosted the highly successful nationally syndicated talk show, The Wendy Williams Show, from 2008 to 2022. She is also an author, actress, and businesswoman.
- Key Relationships: Kevin Hunter Sr. (Ex-Husband, married 1999–2019), Kevin Hunter Jr. (Son).
- Known Health Issues: Graves' disease (an autoimmune disorder), hyperthyroidism, lymphedema, and, most recently, the diagnoses of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and aphasia.
- Net Worth (Estimated 2025): Approximately $5 million, a significant drop from her peak, with her assets now managed by the court-appointed guardian.
The Medical Diagnoses That Upheld the Guardianship
The court’s decision to uphold the guardianship is primarily rooted in a medical assessment that determined Wendy Williams was an "incapacitated person" unable to manage her own financial and personal affairs. The two most prominent and devastating diagnoses cited in court filings are Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and aphasia.
1. Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) Diagnosis
FTD is a progressive neurological disorder caused by the degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain. Unlike Alzheimer’s, which often affects memory first, FTD typically presents with changes in personality, behavior, and language. The court's initial finding, which led to the guardianship being upheld, was based on a medical evaluation that reaffirmed this diagnosis.
- Behavioral Changes: FTD can lead to impulsive behavior, loss of empathy, and poor judgment, which were reportedly factors in the court's concern over her financial and personal safety.
- Cognitive Decline: The condition affects executive functions, making it difficult to plan, organize, and make sound decisions, especially regarding complex financial matters.
2. Primary Progressive Aphasia
Aphasia is a disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate. It is a common symptom of FTD, often referred to as Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), a language variant of FTD. The court was presented with evidence of her declining ability to articulate thoughts, find words, and comprehend language.
This diagnosis, publicly confirmed by her team, was a key piece of evidence suggesting a need for a protective legal structure. For a media personality whose entire career was built on her voice and quick wit, this diagnosis was seen as a profound impairment to her daily functioning and ability to manage her multi-million dollar estate.
The Legal and Financial Pillars of the Upheld Guardianship
Beyond the medical diagnoses, the court’s decision to uphold the guardianship rests on a foundation of legal precedent and financial necessity. The guardianship was initially established in May 2022 under Article 81 of New York's Mental Hygiene Law, designed to protect individuals deemed incapacitated.
3. Financial Vulnerability and Mismanagement
A major catalyst for the initial guardianship was a dispute with her bank, Wells Fargo, over access to her accounts. The bank reportedly froze her funds, citing concerns over her financial health and potential exploitation. The court determined that Williams was vulnerable to financial exploitation and mismanagement due to her cognitive decline. The guardianship ensures a court-appointed fiduciary, Sabrina E. Morrissey, manages her assets and estate.
4. The Role of Court-Appointed Guardian Sabrina E. Morrissey
The court-appointed guardian, New York attorney Sabrina E. Morrissey, is responsible for overseeing Williams' welfare and finances. The court's decision to uphold the guardianship is a vote of confidence in Morrissey's management and the belief that the protective measures are still necessary. Morrissey is tasked with making decisions regarding Williams' living situation, medical care, and financial expenditures, ensuring her best interests are met amidst her health challenges.
5. Denial of New Evaluation Request (Initial Ruling)
While the latest news suggests a new, favorable evaluation, earlier in 2025, Williams' legal team had a request for a new health evaluation, aimed at ending her court-ordered guardianship, initially denied. The court's initial denial to immediately lift the guardianship signaled that the existing medical evidence and the protective structure were deemed sufficient and necessary at that time, reinforcing the "upheld" status.
The Shocking New Battle to End the Guardianship in 2025
Despite the guardianship being upheld, the most recent and critical development in late 2025 is a powerful legal maneuver by Wendy Williams and her attorney, Joe Tacopina, to terminate the arrangement. This battle is fueled by a new, favorable medical evaluation.
Reports indicate that a neurologist who recently examined Williams has determined that the former talk show host does not have Frontotemporal Dementia, a direct contradiction to the diagnosis that was instrumental in upholding the guardianship.
- The Affidavit: Williams reportedly signed an affidavit in early 2025 formally requesting the judge to lift the guardianship.
- The Legal Push: Her legal team is preparing to file papers asking the court to end the guardianship entirely. They argue that if the core medical justification—the FTD diagnosis—is proven false by a new, credible evaluation, the legal basis for the incapacitation no longer exists.
- The New York Law: Under New York's Article 81, a guardianship can be terminated if the incapacitated person "recovers and no longer needs a guardian." This new medical report is the key piece of evidence to meet that high legal standard.
The coming months will be crucial. The court will have to reconcile the conflicting medical evaluations, and the judge will ultimately decide whether Wendy Williams has regained the capacity to manage her own life. The battle to end the guardianship, a fight for her personal and financial freedom, is now the central focus of this ongoing, high-profile legal drama.
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