Wendy Williams celebrates her father Thomas' 94th birthday amid guardianship battle
MIAMI, FLORIDA: Wendy Williams celebrated her father Thomas Williams’ 94th birthday over the weekend, highlighting his vibrant spirit as he danced the night away with loved ones.
Thomas Williams, a former teacher and football coach at Asbury Park High School, showcased his enduring vitality as he danced to Beyonce’s 'Before I Let Go' during his birthday celebration in Miami.
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Wendy Williams' niece pays tribute to grandfather Thomas Williams
The moment, captured by Thomas' granddaughter Alex Finnie, was shared on Instagram with a heartfelt caption, "Happy 94th birthday to my Papa who continues dancing his way through life and leads with the quote, 'You’re never too old to do what you might have done.'"
"I love you endlessly, Papa,” she added.
Wendy Williams, 60, was present at the celebration, though not featured in the dance video.
Who is Thomas Williams?
Thomas Williams' remarkable legacy includes becoming the first Black principal at the former River Street School in Red Bank in 1969.
His late wife, Shirley, who died in 2020, was a dedicated civic leader involved in numerous organizations, including the Monmouth County Council of Girl Scouts and the Central Jersey Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women.
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The family gathered to honor Thomas’ legacy, including Wendy’s sister Wanda Finnie, a former New Jersey Assistant Deputy Public Defender, and brother Thomas Williams Jr, according to USA Today.
Wendy Williams' controversial guardianship
The occasion brought joy amid ongoing challenges faced by Wendy Williams whose financial and personal decisions have been managed by court-appointed guardian Sabrina Morrissey since 2022.
This legal arrangement followed concerns raised by Wells Fargo about potential financial exploitation, including significant expenditures by Wendy’s son, Kevin Hunter Jr, as revealed in recent documentaries.
Kevin Hunter Jr was reported to have spent over $100,000 on Uber Eats and another $100,000 on a boat rental for a birthday party, according to the 2024 Lifetime documentary 'Where’s Wendy Williams?' and the TMZ Tubi documentary 'Saving Wendy.'
Wendy Williams seeks release from guardianship
Amid these legal and financial battles, Wendy Williams' niece, Alex Finnie, has taken on the responsibility of advocating for her aunt’s release from guardianship.
Wendy, a native of Asbury Park and Ocean Township has been residing in a memory care unit of an assisted living facility in New York City as part of the court’s orders.
Diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, Wendy has publicly disputed these diagnoses, adding to the complexity of her situation.
