As Wendy Williams celebrates her 60th birthday on July 18, her family continues to support her despite being largely cut off from contact due to ongoing legal issues.
A source close to the situation has told PEOPLE that Williams’ family is “rooting” for her during this milestone birthday. Williams is currently under a court-ordered guardianship following a diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia.
The source explained, “Wendy Williams’s family cannot discuss her current condition or whereabouts because of ongoing litigation and limited contact. However, they are all hoping and praying for Wendy and want to send their best wishes on her 60th birthday.” The source also highlighted Williams’ enduring status as a cultural icon, saying, “She was, is, and always will be an icon.”
Sabrina Morrissey, Williams’ court-appointed guardian, did not respond to requests for comment from PEOPLE.
Despite the circumstances, tributes have been pouring in for Williams. Fox Soul, a television network, posted on social media, “Happy birthday to talk show legend, Wendy Williams 💜 We love you!”
Cultural commentator Evan Ross Katz also shared a tribute on Instagram, posting throwback photos of Williams. “Happy 60th birthday to the unyielding queen of daytime, the icon, the legend, the moment: Wendy Williams. We love you. We miss you. Pop culture just isn’t the same without your commentary. Wishing you health and happiness always,” Katz wrote.
Williams’ family has struggled to maintain contact since her court-ordered guardianship began in April 2022. In February, Williams’ sister Wanda Finnie expressed frustration at being kept in the dark about her sister’s diagnosis after Williams was placed in a facility for cognitive issues. Finnie noted that the family had not received updates on Williams’ health since the fall of 2021, when Williams spent time with family in Florida.
Finnie questioned the current system, saying, “How did she go from being a healthy family member to someone in and out of the hospital? How is this system better than what the family could provide? I don’t know, but I hope Wendy becomes strong enough to speak for herself someday.”
Following the announcement of her diagnosis, Williams thanked her fans for their support. In a statement obtained exclusively by PEOPLE, she said, “I have immense gratitude for the love and kind words I’ve received after sharing my diagnosis of Aphasia and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). Your response has been overwhelming and has reminded me of the power of unity and the need for compassion.”
In March, Morrissey criticized Lifetime and its docuseries, Where Is Wendy Williams?, accusing the network of “shamelessly” exploiting Williams amid her health struggles. Morrissey claimed that the documentary portrayed Williams in a “demeaning and undignified manner,” though Mark Ford, the documentary’s executive producer, previously stated that the project had been approved by Williams, her management, and her attorneys. Ford defended the documentary, saying it followed the truth of Williams’ situation.
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