Wendy Williams, born July 18, 1964, is a celebrated television host, author, and businesswoman who gained widespread fame through her dynamic talk show, The Wendy Williams Show. At 60 years old, Wendy has faced a life filled with notable achievements and personal challenges. As of 2025, her net worth is $5 million, a significant shift from her earlier earnings due to health and financial issues. Wendy has been married twice and has one child, Kevin Jr., born in 2000.
Key Takeaways
- Age and Net Worth: Wendy Williams is 60 years old, with a net worth of $5 million as of 2025.
- Family: She has one son, Kevin Jr., from her 22-year marriage to Kevin Hunter.
- Career Highlights: Wendy’s journey from radio to television solidified her status as a cultural icon, with her talk show running for over 13 seasons.
- Health and Financial Struggles: Diagnosed with dementia and aphasia, Wendy is under financial guardianship, with limited access to her assets.
- Resilience: Despite facing immense challenges, Wendy Williams remains a symbol of resilience and strength, inspiring audiences with her honesty and tenacity.
Early Life
Wendy Williams grew up in Asbury Park, New Jersey, as the second of three children in a tight-knit family. Her family later moved to Ocean Township, where she attended high school. Wendy pursued higher education at Northeastern University, earning a degree in communications while working as a DJ for the college radio station WRBB.
Her passion for broadcasting paved the way for her early radio career, starting in the Virgin Islands and quickly progressing to major markets like New York City and Washington, D.C. Wendy became known for her bold personality and candid discussions, which set her apart in the competitive radio industry.
Television Stardom
In 2008, Wendy transitioned to television with The Wendy Williams Show. The show’s unique blend of celebrity gossip, lifestyle segments, and her unfiltered commentary quickly gained traction, making Wendy a household name. Her catchphrase, “How you doin’?” became iconic, reflecting her relatable and lively on-screen persona.
For over a decade, Wendy’s show garnered millions of daily viewers and received numerous accolades. Her authenticity and willingness to discuss personal struggles, including miscarriages and her battle with substance abuse, resonated with audiences and made her a daytime television staple.
Financial Decline
Despite earning $10 million annually at the height of her career, Wendy faced significant financial difficulties in recent years. Her salary translated to approximately $55,000 per episode of her talk show, with seasons often consisting of 180 episodes. However, by 2022, Wendy’s financial independence was curtailed when a New York court placed her under financial guardianship, citing concerns about her ability to manage her assets due to health and personal issues.
In 2024, Wendy revealed in a Lifetime documentary, “I have no money,” a shocking statement considering her past earnings. Reports suggest that while Wendy may still have financial assets, they are not under her control. The situation escalated in early 2022 when Wells Fargo froze her accounts, citing alleged financial exploitation by individuals in her inner circle.
Health Challenges
Wendy’s health struggles have significantly impacted her career and personal life. She has long battled Graves’ disease and hyperthyroidism, conditions that led to her taking multiple leaves of absence from her show. In 2019, she revealed her diagnosis of lymphedema, causing swelling in her lower extremities.
In 2024, Wendy’s team confirmed that she had been diagnosed with dementia and aphasia, impairing her communication abilities. These conditions, combined with a history of substance abuse, have contributed to her current state of guardianship and reduced public appearances.
Legal and Financial Issues
Wendy’s financial troubles extend beyond frozen accounts. In January 2024, the IRS filed a $568,451 tax lien against her New York condo for unpaid taxes from 2019 and 2021. The condo, which she purchased for $4.5 million in 2021, is one of her last significant assets. Wendy’s previous real estate portfolio included a lavish home in New Jersey and a Manhattan penthouse, both of which have since been sold.
Personal Life
Wendy has been married twice. Her first marriage ended after just five months. In 1997, she married Kevin Hunter, with whom she shares her son, Kevin Jr. Their marriage lasted over two decades but was marked by allegations of infidelity and abuse. In 2019, Wendy filed for divorce after reports surfaced of Kevin fathering a child with his mistress.
The divorce was a turning point in Wendy’s life, as she sought to regain control of her personal and professional affairs. She moved to a sober house to address her struggles with addiction and made efforts to separate her finances from her ex-husband.
Wendy Williams’ life is a testament to the highs and lows of fame, reflecting a journey that continues to captivate and inspire.