Wendy Williams and family share update on her fight to be freed from guardianship

Wendy Williams has shared an update since she went on a media tour speaking on her fight to be released from her legal guardianship.

How she was legally placed in a guardianship

Williams was ordered by a judge to be placed in the legal guardianship in 2022 after her Wells Fargo financial manager raised concerns about her health and alleging her finances were being mismanaged.

Shortly after Williams Lifetime documentary aired, which followed the media mogul’s journey after her talk show ended, Williams was placed into the court ordered guardianship.

Since, Williams said she has been confined to a room in an assisted living facility and isolated with limited access to her friends and loved ones. She said she has a phone where she can call you, but you can’t call her. She needs approval to do almost anything, including her father’s forthcoming 94th birthday.

Wendy Williams Media tour and update on guardianship

On January 16, 2025, Williams first called into The Breakfast Club to speak about the ordeal she’s in.

While talking about her harrowing situation, Williams sounded lucid, coherent, and jovial despite reports that she is incapacitated from a diagnosis of frontal lobe dementia.

She continues her media tour by speaking with Don Lemon, TMZ’s Harvy Levin, and Hollywood Unlocked’s Jason Lee.

Each had valid concerns of their friend and colleague being in a guardianship.

Why the fight for independence

Friends and family of Wendy Williams have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help the former talk show host regain control of her life and finances.

The campaign seeks to address the significant challenges Williams, 60, has faced since being placed under a court-ordered guardianship.

What is a legal guardianship?

The National Guardianship Association defines a guardianship as “a legal process, utilized when a person can no longer make or communicate safe or sound decisions about his/her person and/or property or has become susceptible to fraud or undue influence.”

Also commonly known as a conservatorship, Williams is one of the latest celebrities to make headlines for fighting a legal guardianship. Other notable conservatorships include that of Britney Spears and Amanda Bynes.

Wendy Williams GoFundMe Update

The GoFundMe campaign, titled, “Support Wendy Williams’ Fight for Independence,” aims to raise $50,000 to fund legal expenses and expedite her return to her family’s home state of Florida. As of January 24, 2025, the campaign has raised more than $42,000.

Organized by a family friend, the fundraiser details how the funds will be used which includes attorney fees, court filing costs and expert witness testimony.

“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 fundraiser said.

As of January 21, 2025, Williams niece Alex Finnie has retained an attorney to petition the court to address all issues pertaining to Wendy Williams’ guardianship.

Path forward

Friends and family said you can continue to support Williams by sharing news stories like these, using the hashtag #FreeWendy, and if motivated to help financially, donating to the GoFundMe.

As her family continues its fight against the court-ordered guardianship, updates from the GoFundMe page promise to keep donors informed about new developments.

On her latest update on January 21, 2025, Williams said, “Today is 1/21/25. I have a pink Versace robe and a Victoria’s Secret black bra, and I am watching “Botched,” but my body is hitting and holding with my red lipstick because it’s winter. Still here in this luxury prison! Keep you all updated!”