Wendy Williams has publicly voiced her desire to be freed from her guardianship, stating, "I want out!" The sentiment comes amid a protracted legal battle over her conservatorship, which she has previously described as being akin to "prison."
Williams, 62, was placed under legal guardianship in 2022. Her team announced in 2024 that she had been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) after undergoing a series of medical tests. However, reports from experts who spoke to TMZ have suggested that patients with FTD typically do not recover, potentially disputing the diagnosis given Williams's stated desire for independence.
In February, Williams spoke with Nightline co-anchor Byron Pitts from a care facility where she had been residing. She described her living situation as a "memory unit" and stated, "I don't belong here at all. This is ridiculous."
Under the terms of her guardianship, overseen by attorney Sabrina E. Morrissey, Williams reportedly requires permission to receive calls, visits, or leave her facility. She has expressed frustration with these restrictions, noting the cost of her care and her inability to leave the premises freely. In a previous statement to the New York Post, she mentioned the facility's security measures and her limited ability to go out, despite attending church and the gym with assistance.
Williams has maintained that she is not incapacitated and has been fighting in court to terminate the guardianship, asserting she has "regained the capacity" to function independently. In March 2025, she hired a new legal team, including attorney Joe Tacopina, known for representing A$AP Rocky, to challenge the court-ordered arrangement. A social media movement, #FreeWendy, has since gained traction.
Williams rose to fame as a radio DJ before becoming the host of her popular eponymous talk show, which aired from 2008 to 2022. Her team stated that the decision to disclose her diagnosis was made to advocate for understanding and raise awareness about aphasia and FTD.