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Wendy Williams, 59, diagnosed with dementia as tragic condition echoes Bruce Willis

TV host Wendy Williams has diagnosed with same tragic condition as Bruce Willis.

The 59-year-old talk show host’s care team announced her new diagnosis on Thursday (February 22) in a press release. They claimed she was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia.

Aphasia is a condition that affects communication and langauge. FTD is a disorder that impacts behaviour as well as cognitive functions. Hollywood actor Bruce Willis confirmed last year that he was diagnosed with the same kind of dementia.

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The press release read: “Over the past few years, questions have been raised at times about Wendy’s ability to process information and many have speculated about Wendy’s condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions.

She has sadly been diagnosed with a form of frontotemporal dementia
(Image: Getty Images for AHA)

“The decision to share this news was difficult and made after careful consideration, not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy, but to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and support the thousands of others facing similar circumstances,” the release added.

“Unfortunately, many individuals diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia face stigma and misunderstanding, particularly when they begin to exhibit behavioral changes but have not yet received a diagnosis.”

Wendy is starring in an upcoming documentary
(Image: THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW)

The news of Wendy’s dementia diagnosis comes ahead of her two-part documentary about the daytime host. The doc, titled Where Is Wendy Williams?, takes a frank look at her life with Graves’ Disease and more.

Bruce Willis was diagnosed with aphasia back in spring 2022 and it was later revealed that he had been diagnosed with dementia. Specifically, Bruce has frontotemporal dementia, which can affect a person’s behaviour and their overall personality.

Bruce also has the same condition
(Image: Getty Images)

His family released a statement to the world about his condition. They said: “Bruce has always found joy in life – and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us.”

In October last year, director Glenn Gordon Caron spoke out about his friend Bruce and has assured fans Willis is “still Bruce,” despite his health issues. Caron, who tries to see Willis “every month or so,” said: “He’s not totally verbal. He used to be a voracious reader, he didn’t want anyone to know that, and he’s not reading now. All those language skills are no longer available to him and yet he’s still Bruce.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk


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