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    Wendy Williams Broke Her Silence Following Her Dementia Diagnosis

    "Your response has been overwhelming."

    Earlier this week, it was revealed that Wendy Williams — who has been largely out of the public eye since her legendary talk show ended in 2022 — was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia.

    Person in fur coat exiting a vehicle, smiling with an open-mouthed expression
    Johnny Nunez / WireImage

    The Alzheimer’s Association defines frontotemporal dementia as "a group of disorders caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the brain's frontal lobes (the areas behind your forehead) or its temporal lobes (the regions behind your ears)." The Mayo Clinic defines aphasia as "a disorder that affects how you communicate. It can impact your speech, as well as the way you write and understand both spoken and written language."

    A press release stated that Wendy received the diagnosis last year “after undergoing a battery of medical tests." “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,” the statement also said.

    A person smiling with a pink fur collar and cap indoors
    Johnny Nunez / WireImage

    “Most importantly she maintains her trademark sense of humor and is receiving the care she requires to make sure she is protected and that her needs are addressed,” the release added. “She is appreciative of the many kind thoughts and good wishes being sent her way.”

    Wendy Williams in a striped dress sits beside her wax figure in an orange jumpsuit, both with microphones
    Cindy Ord / Getty Images for Madame Tussauds New York

    Following the announcement, Wendy has also released a personal statement (via People) addressing her diagnosis and her wishes from the public.