Wendy Williams, the iconic talk show host, has been a fixture in entertainment for decades, known for her candid personality and engaging on-screen presence. However, in recent years, attention has shifted towards her health, with many viewers and fans asking, “Why are Wendy Williams’ eyes like that?” This question, often whispered and speculated upon, actually points to a significant chapter in Wendy’s ongoing health journey. While recent news has highlighted her diagnoses of primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the story behind her eyes leads us back to an earlier diagnosis: Graves’ disease.
Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder, was publicly revealed by Williams in 2018. This condition directly impacts the thyroid gland, causing it to overproduce thyroid hormones. One of the hallmark and visually noticeable symptoms of Graves’ disease is its effect on the eyes, known as Graves’ ophthalmopathy or thyroid eye disease. This explains the changes many have observed in Wendy Williams’ eyes over the years.
Graves’ Disease and the Eyes: Unpacking Wendy’s Diagnosis
Graves’ ophthalmopathy occurs because the autoimmune process in Graves’ disease also targets the muscles and fatty tissues around the eyes. This can lead to a variety of symptoms that alter the appearance and function of the eyes, directly addressing the question, “why are Wendy Williams’ eyes like that?”.
Common eye-related symptoms of Graves’ disease include:
- Proptosis or Exophthalmos (Bulging Eyes): This is perhaps the most recognizable symptom, where the eyes protrude forward from their sockets. Wendy Williams herself mentioned that Graves’ disease “squeezes the muscles behind the eyeballs,” causing them to bulge.
- Eyelid Retraction: The upper eyelids may retract or pull back, exposing more of the white part of the eye (sclera) above the iris.
- Double Vision (Diplopia): Inflammation of the eye muscles can disrupt their coordination, leading to double vision.
- Eye Twitching: As Wendy Williams noted, eye twitching or spasms can also occur due to the muscle involvement.
- Dryness, Grittiness, and Discomfort: The bulging of the eyes can prevent the eyelids from closing properly, leading to dryness and irritation.
- Light Sensitivity (Photophobia): Inflammation and dryness can make the eyes more sensitive to light.
- Vision Problems: In severe cases, Graves’ ophthalmopathy can compress the optic nerve, leading to vision impairment.
In February 2018, when Wendy Williams announced her Graves’ disease diagnosis and a three-week break from “The Wendy Williams Show,” she directly acknowledged the changes viewers had noticed in her eyes. This public acknowledgement was crucial in connecting the visual changes in her eyes to a tangible medical condition, offering an answer to the question, “why are Wendy Williams’ eyes like that?”. It was not merely a cosmetic change, but a symptom of an underlying autoimmune disease she was battling.
Wendy Williams featured in her Lifetime documentary ‘Where is Wendy Williams?’, addressing health concerns.
Beyond Graves’ Eyes: Wendy Williams’ Broader Health Challenges
While Graves’ disease explains the changes in Wendy Williams’ eyes, it is important to understand that this is just one part of her complex health story. Recent revelations about her diagnoses of primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia shed light on her more recent struggles with cognitive function and behavior.
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and Aphasia: Announced in February 2024, these diagnoses explain some of the “erratic” behavior and communication difficulties that had led to public speculation about Wendy’s health in recent years.
- Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD): This progressive condition affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas are crucial for personality, behavior, language, and decision-making. FTD is not related to Graves’ disease but represents a separate and serious health challenge.
- Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA): A subtype of FTD, PPA specifically impacts communication abilities, including speech, writing, and understanding language. This diagnosis helps explain instances where Wendy appeared to struggle with words or processing information.
The press release announcing these diagnoses also addressed the public perception of Wendy’s condition. It acknowledged the “inaccurate and hurtful rumors” and emphasized that these diagnoses are the reason behind the changes in her behavior and cognitive abilities. It serves to correct misunderstandings and raise awareness about aphasia and FTD, conditions that often carry stigma due to a lack of public understanding.
A Timeline of Health Battles: From Fainting to Facilities
Wendy Williams’ health journey has been marked by a series of public and private battles. Understanding the timeline provides a fuller picture of what she has faced:
- 2017: Fainting on Live TV: During a Halloween episode of her show, Wendy fainted, attributing it to overheating in her costume. While seemingly isolated at the time, in retrospect, it could be seen as an early sign of underlying health vulnerabilities.
- 2018: Graves’ Disease Diagnosis: This marked the first public acknowledgment of a significant health condition and provided context for the changes in her eyes and other potential symptoms like anxiety and fatigue associated with hyperthyroidism.
- 2019 & 2020: Show Breaks for Health: Wendy took further breaks from her show to manage her Graves’ disease, indicating the ongoing impact of the condition on her well-being.
- 2013 & 2019: Substance Use Struggles: Wendy has been open about her past struggles with cocaine addiction and, more recently, with alcohol use, including a period in a sober living house in 2019. These struggles are separate from Graves’ and FTD but contribute to a complex picture of her overall health challenges.
- 2022: Lymphedema Revelation: Wendy revealed she suffers from lymphedema, a condition causing swelling in the legs and feet. This added another layer to her physical health concerns.
- 2023: Cognitive Issues and Treatment Facility: Filming for her documentary was paused as Wendy entered a treatment facility for “cognitive issues,” suggesting the progression of her cognitive decline even before the formal FTD and aphasia diagnoses.
- 2024: FTD and Aphasia Diagnoses: The official announcement of these diagnoses provides clarity and a medical explanation for the cognitive and behavioral changes observed over the past few years.
Close-up of Wendy Williams, revealing her condition, in a promotional image for her documentary.
“Where is Wendy Williams?”: A Documentary Offering Further Insight
The Lifetime documentary “Where is Wendy Williams?”, released in February 2024, offers a more intimate look into Wendy’s life and health struggles. While the documentary’s creation was impacted by her evolving health situation, it promises to address many of the questions surrounding her well-being and cognitive state. It is presented as an opportunity for Wendy and her family to share their perspective and address the public speculation directly.
Current Status and Looking Ahead: Wendy is currently reported to be in a wellness facility specializing in cognitive issues. Her sister has indicated that she is in a “healing place emotionally.” Due to a court-appointed guardianship, family contact is limited, highlighting the seriousness of her condition and the need for legal and medical oversight.
In conclusion, the question “Why are Wendy Williams’ eyes like that?” leads to the diagnosis of Graves’ disease and its associated eye condition, Graves’ ophthalmopathy. However, this is just one piece of Wendy Williams’ larger health narrative. Her recent diagnoses of frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia reveal a more profound and complex set of challenges. Wendy’s journey underscores the importance of understanding and empathy when it comes to health issues, especially those that are visible and subject to public scrutiny. Her story also serves to raise awareness about Graves’ disease, FTD, and aphasia, encouraging greater understanding and reducing stigma around these conditions.
