Wendy Williams’ family launches GoFundMe to fight her 'unjust' guardianship in prison-like facility
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Wendy Williams, the iconic talk show host, is in a battle for her independence, and her family has had enough.
Williams’ loved ones launched a GoFundMe campaign on January 15, seeking to raise $50,000 to fight what they describe as an “unjust guardianship” that has left her isolated, emotionally drained, and struggling to regain control of her life.
Wendy William's family launches GoFundMe after 'prison-like' facility leaves her isolated
The 60-year-old, who was diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in May 2023, is currently residing in a facility in New York.
According to her family, she can make outgoing calls to loved ones but cannot receive calls or access the internet through devices like laptops or iPads.
On a call to 'The Breakfast Club' alongside her niece, Alex Finnie, Williams directly addressed the guardianship, comparing it to “prison.”
With visible frustration and sadness, she declared, “My life is f**ked up. I feel like I’m in prison. I’m definitely isolated. I keep the door closed, I watch TV, listen to the radio and look out the window. Sit here as my life goes by.”
Her family’s GoFundMe page, labeled Support Wendy Williams’ Fight for Independence, has raised over $12,000 of its $50,000 goal so far, the New York Post reported.
Wendy Williams’ family seeks support to end guardianship
Accompanied by a touching photo of Wendy Williams and Alex Finnie, the page’s description paints a dire picture of her current situation.
“For far too long, Wendy has faced the challenges of being unjustly placed under guardianship and labeled as incapacitated, despite her strong will and determination to live her life independently,” the campaign reads.
“Her current situation is not only unfair but also deeply isolating," it added.
The family revealed that Williams’ court-appointed guardian has severed many of her connections to loved ones, exacerbating her loneliness.
They are now rallying for her to return to Florida, where she could be surrounded by family and friends.
However, the fight to regain her freedom has drained their financial resources, leading them to seek public support for legal representation.
Wendy Williams' heartbreaking struggles under guardianship
During her 'Breakfast Club' call, Wendy Williams became emotional discussing her father’s upcoming 94th birthday, saying she’s unsure if she’ll be allowed to travel to Miami to celebrate with him.
“It is essential that she is not left to suffer in silence in New York while her family is waiting for her return to the warm embrace of Florida, where she truly belongs,” the GoFundMe page states.
The campaign’s plea to the public is heartfelt: “Your generous contribution can make a profound difference! By uniting in solidarity, we can help speed up Wendy’s homecoming and ensure she no longer has to endure the pain of loneliness and disconnection.”
Williams has not held back in sharing her frustrations about the guardianship.
She insisted on air, “I’m not cognitively impaired. Do I seem that way, goddamn it?” She also revealed the heartbreaking reality of her situation: “I have $15,” she claimed, adding that her beloved cats “are gone.”
The GoFundMe page concludes with a rallying cry for support: “Let’s come together to support Wendy and her family during this critical time!”
