Imagine being trapped in a place you despise, feeling powerless to change your situation. That's the reality Wendy Williams, the iconic talk show host, is reportedly facing. Despite living in a $25,000-a-month assisted living facility, she's calling it a "dump," sparking a huge debate about her well-being and the complexities of her guardianship.
Let's dive into what's happening. Williams currently resides at Coterie, a high-end assisted living facility in New York City's Hudson Yards. According to a recent interview with The Cut, conducted via phone from the memory care floor, her situation is far from ideal. The memory care unit is locked, and she needs permission from both Coterie and her guardian to leave. She's not allowed a cell phone, relying on a landline with outgoing calls only. Her friend, Max Tucci, owner of the upscale Italian restaurant Tucci, revealed that Wendy describes the facility as a "dump." He emphasized, "This is, like, where billionaires send their grandmothers. But, you know… She doesn’t need it. Wendy doesn’t lie."
In her own words during the interview, Williams expressed her distress, questioning the need to be surrounded by elderly people and repeatedly requesting to be moved from her current floor. "Did you see the people? The elderly people? Why do I want to look at that? This is a f----d-up situation. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked that I be moved from this floor."
But here's where it gets controversial... Williams was placed under a court-appointed guardianship in 2022. In February 2024, her team announced she had been diagnosed with progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). This diagnosis, however, is something Williams herself continues to deny.
Now, on the surface, Coterie appears luxurious. The Cut described a lobby with fresh lilies, marble floors, and a crystal chandelier. The amenities include a 24/7 nursing staff, a private movie theater, a snack bar, a spa, and a hair salon for residents who are able to participate. It sounds more like a five-star hotel than a typical assisted living facility, right? And this is the part most people miss... it's not about the things, it's about the freedom and the feeling of being in control of your own life.
Williams has reportedly been living at the facility since 2023. While she initially remained out of the public eye, she has made some recent appearances, including at New York Fashion Week. She also mentioned attending a "megachurch" in Brooklyn, finding faith and connection with God.
Initially, Williams resided on the third floor, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and marble bathrooms with heated flooring and assistance bars. However, a friend claimed that after an incident on her birthday in July at the facility's penthouse restaurant and bar, where she allegedly got "hammered," she was moved to the memory care unit.
Currently, Williams has an iPad in her 360-square-foot studio suite on the "memory floor," which costs approximately $25,800 per month. In addition to this hefty fee, her estate is responsible for guardianship lawyer fees, paying her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey's fees, and her lawyer's retainer of $10,000 a month. The Cut also reported that in 2024, Morrissey sold Williams's 2,400-square-foot apartment at a loss and rehomed her two cats. It's a lot to take in, isn't it?
Williams uses her iPad to listen to her old radio show and stay informed about news concerning herself. The Cut described the memory care unit as bleak, noting the smell of Febreze, the absence of locks on apartment doors, and the lack of stoves or refrigerators for safety reasons. However, the floor does have a gym, where the reporter observed Williams working out on the treadmill, overlooking the city. The reporter even noted, "She looked good."
Adding another layer to this complex situation is a lawsuit filed by Williams's ex-husband, Kevin Hunter, in June. Hunter alleges that Williams is competent and that the judge overseeing the case is "crooked." He called the guardianship "fraudulent bondage" and demanded Sabrina Morrissey's removal. According to sealed court documents, Hunter had been receiving $37,500 per month in alimony from Williams for years, a payment that stopped shortly before the guardianship began. The lawsuit sought $250 million in damages to be split between him and Williams. On October 9th, TMZ reported that a judge dismissed Hunter's lawsuit, although he has the option to refile an amended complaint on his own behalf. This is where things get really messy, isn't it? Who is acting in Wendy's best interest?
Williams and Hunter were married for 21 years and share one son, Kevin Hunter Jr., 25. The Cut spoke with Kevin Jr., who stated he's trying to stay away from the drama and focus on his own path. He expressed his desire for his mother to "get out of this, because it's not right." He is clearly concerned for his mother's well-being.
The Cut reported that a new medical report might be released in the coming weeks or months. The judge overseeing the case could reaffirm the guardianship, ease restrictions, replace Morrissey, or remove the guardianship altogether. However, sources suggest that removing the guardianship is unlikely.
So, what do you think? Is Wendy Williams being unfairly restricted? Is the guardianship protecting her, or is it a form of control? Should her ex-husband have a say in her care? Does she deserve to live where she wants, regardless of her medical condition? Let's discuss in the comments below.
