New York, New York – Wendy Williams, the former host of The Wendy Williams Show, found herself at the center of controversy on March 10 when she was taken to a hospital after being removed from her assisted-living facility by police. The incident occurred as Williams, who has been under a court-ordered guardianship since 2022, sought an independent medical evaluation with the support of her caretaker, Ginalisa Monterroso. They believed that Williams did not require the level of care provided by the facility, which she has compared to prison due to its allegedly isolating and restrictive conditions.
Reports indicate that Williams had dropped notes reading “Help! Wendy!!” out of a window in her assisted living facility, prompting a visit from the NYPD. Monterroso clarified that she personally called the police for a welfare check. During a subsequent interview, Williams expressed frustration at being in a memory unit where residents have trouble remembering, unlike herself. She questioned why she was there and referred to it as a cry for help, leading to her being escorted to the hospital for evaluation.
In a call to Good Day New York from the hospital on March 11, Williams revealed that she had undergone mental competency tests and claimed to have passed with flying colors. Monterroso explained that Williams demonstrated competence in decision-making through a series of tests, including questions on basic knowledge like the current president and her own birthday. These results could potentially support Williams’s case in court, as she continues to challenge the need for guardianship imposed in 2022 to protect her from financial abuse.
Despite a previous diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia and progressive aphasia in 2023, Williams has denied any cognitive impairment. She is determined to break free from the guardianship, stating that her top priority is regaining independence and managing her finances with the help of a trusted advisor. Beyond her legal battles, Williams expressed a desire to return to work and continue living in New York. The uncertainty of her situation, including the possibility of returning to the assisted living facility, looms as she navigates the challenges surrounding her guardianship.