Wendy Williams is currently living a life that looks nothing like the purple chair and "Hot Topics" era we all remember. It’s a messy, quiet, and legally tangled existence. If you’re looking for a simple answer on where she is, she's in New York. But "where" she is mentally and legally is a much more complicated story that involves a high-end care facility, a controversial guardianship, and a brewing legal war that might finally see her "free" by the end of 2026.
Honestly, the last few years have been a blur of headlines. First, it was the Graves' disease. Then the lymphedema. Then the devastating news about her brain. In February 2024, her team went public with a diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). It was a gut punch for fans who grew up on her radio show and daytime TV dominance.
The Care Facility and the "Prison"
For a long time, Wendy was essentially hidden. Her family—including her sister Wanda and niece Alex Finnie—admitted in the 2024 Lifetime documentary Where Is Wendy Williams? that they didn't even know the exact location of the facility where she was being kept. They had to wait for her to call them.
Today, she is still under the care of a court-appointed guardian, Sabrina Morrissey. Wendy lives in a specialized facility in New York, but she’s been seen out and about more recently. In July 2025, she was spotted at Columbia University looking surprisingly sharp, and just a few months ago, she popped up at New York Fashion Week.
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Despite these sightings, Wendy doesn't sound happy. In a raw interview with The Cut and a call-in to The Breakfast Club, she described her situation as "being in prison."
"I am not cognitively impaired," she insisted. "This whole thing is about money, money, money."
She claims she can't receive calls on her landline and needs permission to even leave the building. It’s a jarring contrast to the woman who used to run a multi-million dollar media empire with a single "How you doin'?"
The Plot Twist: Does She Even Have Dementia?
This is where things get really weird. For two years, the narrative was that Wendy had the same condition as Bruce Willis—a progressive, incurable brain disorder. But as we move through 2026, her legal team is singing a completely different tune.
In late 2025, her powerhouse attorney, Joe Tacopina, dropped a bombshell. He claims that a top New York neurologist performed a battery of new tests—including brain scans and neuropsychological evals—and found no signs of frontotemporal dementia.
Wait, what?
Tacopina’s theory is that Wendy was actually suffering from alcohol-induced dementia back in 2023. Basically, she was drinking so heavily (she’s been open about her addiction) that her brain was essentially "short-circuiting." Since she’s been sober for over three years now, her team argues her brain has shown "remarkable neurological resilience."
Basically, they’re saying she’s recovered.
The Legal War for Freedom
Right now, there is a massive push to end the guardianship. The court documents are mostly sealed, but we know a few key things:
- The Deposition: A judge recently ruled that Wendy is competent enough to testify in a lawsuit against A&E (the parent company of Lifetime). She’s allowed to be deposed for three hours a day, which suggests the court thinks she has a decent handle on her faculties.
- The "Game, Set, Match": Tacopina is pushing for the guardianship to be terminated by the end of the year. If the judge doesn't budge, they’re threatening a jury trial.
- The Financial Lockdown: Wendy still doesn't have access to her millions. Wells Fargo originally froze her accounts in 2022, claiming she was of "unsound mind." That money is still managed by the guardian, which remains the biggest point of contention.
What Her Daily Life Looks Like Now
It's not all courtrooms and doctors. Wendy is trying to find a "new normal." She attends a local megachurch, which she says keeps her grounded. She’s also been seen with designer Mel Maxi, looking much healthier than the frail version of her we saw in the 2024 documentary.
She wants her career back. She wants a podcast. She wants to be back on the dating scene. But the reality is that the legal system moves slowly. Even if she is "fine" now, the transition out of a restrictive guardianship is like trying to untangle a mountain of knotted yarn.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following Wendy's journey, here is how you can actually stay informed and support the cause without falling for clickbait:
- Watch the Official Updates: Avoid "tea" channels on YouTube that use AI voices. Follow reputable sources like The Hollywood Reporter or People, who have access to the unsealed portions of her court filings.
- The #FreeWendy Movement: While controversial to some, this movement on social media is where fans share sightings and updates. Just remember to take "insider info" with a grain of salt.
- Understand FTD vs. Alcohol-Induced Issues: If you have a loved one facing similar issues, Wendy’s case highlights the importance of getting a second opinion. Cognitive impairment isn't always a one-way street; sometimes, as her lawyers claim, sobriety and proper nutrition can lead to significant recovery.
- Wait for the New Documentary: There’s talk of a follow-up project (rumored title Trapped: What is Happening to Wendy Williams) that focuses on the legal battle specifically.
Wendy Williams changed the face of celebrity gossip. She was the one who told us the truth about everyone else. Now, she’s fighting just to be the one who tells the truth about herself. Whether she’s truly recovered or just having a "good window" in a progressive illness remains the million-dollar question. But for now, the Queen of Media is still very much in the fight.
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Next Steps for You:
Check the New York court registries for updates on the "Williams Guardianship" hearings, which are scheduled to pick up steam in the coming months. If you're interested in the medical side, looking into the differences between permanent FTD and reversible cognitive impairment from substance use can provide a lot of context for why this legal battle is so heated right now.