Yahoo Lifestyle Wendy Williams spotted for the first time in a year after being diagnosed with aphasia and dementia
The former talk show host was spotted shopping at holistic store Bolingo Balance in New Jersey with her son, Kevin Hunter Jr.
Former talk show host Wendy Williams has been spotted out in public for the first time in over a year.
Williams was seen shopping last week at holistic store Bolingo Balance in New Jersey with her son, Kevin Hunter Jr. The store commemorated the occasion with photos of an employee posing with Williams and her son, which were shared to the establishment's Instagram account.
"Much love to Wendy Williams and her son ❤️," read the caption. "I remember when I met Kevin in Usha village, my dad told me I want you to meet Wendy’s son." Williams' son replied in the comment section: "🙏🏽📈🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽."
Related: The View's Sunny Hostin on Wendy Williams' ongoing struggles: 'Hope I get to see my friend again'
Williams was "sharp, upbeat and aware” and “very bubbly” during the visit to Bolingo Balance, an employee at the wellness store told Page Six, and that she was “engaging but wasn’t as familiar with what we do here, so her son was more explaining things.”
The last time Williams was seen and photographed in public was in March 2023, according to PEOPLE. In February, Williams' team announced that she was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
"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," her team said via press release at the time. "In 2023, after undergoing a battery of medical tests, Wendy was officially diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia."
Williams' team added that the star was "still able to do many things for herself" and was actively receiving the "care she requires to make sure she is protected and that her needs are addressed."
In a statement of her own a day later, Williams addressed her diagnoses, thanked fans for their well wishes, and asked for space.
"I want to say I have immense gratitude for the love and kind words I have received after sharing my diagnosis of Aphasia and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)," Williams said. "Let me say, wow! Your response has been overwhelming. The messages shared with me have touched me, reminding me of the power of unity and the need for compassion."
She added, "I hope that others with FTD may benefit from my story. I want to also thank the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration for their kind words of support and their extraordinary efforts to raise awareness of FTD. I continue to need personal space and peace to thrive. Please just know that your positivity and encouragement are deeply appreciated."
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Prior to her diagnoses, Williams stepped down from her eponymous talk show, The Wendy Williams Show, after more than 10 years in 2021 amid ongoing health issues. At the time, she was open about her experiences dealing with Graves’ Disease and lymphedema.
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