(NewsNation) — Former talk show host Wendy Williams has been in a controversial court-ordered guardianship since May 2022, as conversations continue to circulate about her health.  

Here is a look back at Williams’ health struggles with the conservatorship which she feels “trapped” in.  

Wendy Williams’ public health struggles begin 

March 2018 to June 2022: A mainstay on daytime TV, Williams walked away from “The Wendy Williams Show” in 2021 after she revealed her ongoing health struggles. 

After repeated breaks from her show, Williams revealed in 2018 that she was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid.  

According to Mayo Clinic, thyroid hormones affect the body’s organs, and Graves’ symptoms can impact those organs as well.  

In March 2019, Williams, who’s been open about her addiction struggles, revealed that she has been living in a sober house and getting treatment.  

“You know I’ve had a struggle with cocaine in my past,” she said on her show. “I never went to a place to get the treatment. I don’t know how, except God was sitting on my shoulder, and I just stopped.” 

Right before the start of season 13 of “The Wendy Williams Show” in September 2021, the host contracted COVID-19, delaying the premiere of the show to October. Celebrity guest hosts filled in for Williams until it was revealed that Williams would not return for the remainder of the season.  

Williams never returned to the air as her show was cancelled and replaced by the daytime talk show “Sherri” hosted by Sherri Shepherd, who was one of the guest hosts of Williams’ show.  

Wendy Williams’ guardianship 

February 2022: Wells Fargo froze Williams’ accounts and petitioned a judge to place her under guardianship after her then financial adviser, Lori Schiller, claimed that the former talk show host was of “unsound mind,” according to PEOPLE.  

Sabrina Morrissey was appointed William’s conservator.  

A source told People in March 2025 that Williams initially wanted to be placed in a conservatorship, but didn’t realize “her whole life would be taken away.” 

In January 2025, Williams told “The Breakfast Club” she felt “trapped” in an emotionally abusive guardianship.  

“I feel like I am in prison … I am definitely isolated,” Williams said of the facility she has been staying at under the direction of Morrissey. 

Wendy Williams’ aphasia, frontotemporal dementia diagnosis  

February 2024: Williams revealed she was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. 

Although Williams had been open about having Graves’ Disease and Lymphedema, it wasn’t until 2023 when she underwent a “battery of medical tests” that she was given an official diagnosis of aphasia and dementia. 

“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,” her team said in a statement at the time. “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.” 

Controversial documentary 

February 2024: A documentary titled “Where is Wendy Williams?” was filmed over two years and aired on Lifetime, showing off her life after her show’s cancellation, including her battle with dementia.  

Morrissey filed a complaint against A&E Television Network, Lifetime Entertainment Services, EOne Productions, Creature Films, and executive producer Mark Ford, alleging that they took advantage of the talk show star in the documentary.  

According to the complaint, Williams was paid only $82,000 for the two-part docuseries, while the defendants reportedly reaped millions.  

Wendy Williams fight for freedom 

July 2025: Williams celebrated her 61st birthday with family and friends, and told Page Six that her one birthday wish was that she was free from the conservatorship.  

“It’s obvious: To get out of my guardianship and go back to work in the most magnificent way,” she said.  

NewsNation’s Safia Samee Ali Liz Jassin, Ashleigh Banfield and Cassie Buchman contributed to this report