Wendy Williams, the former talk show host, is making headlines again as she dined out with friends in New York City.
This comes amidst her ongoing fight to end her court-appointed guardianship, which has been in place since May 2022.
WENDY WILLIAMS WANTS CONTROL
Williams, now 60, has been vocal about her desire to regain control over her life, finances, and health.
On Friday, 11 April, Williams was spotted enjoying dinnerand dessert at Fresco by Scotto. This is a popular restaurant in New York.
Williams joined her friends, including Alex Finnie, her niece, and Rosanna Scotto.
Laughter and festive sparklers filled the evening, contrasting sharply with the restrictive life she says she faces under her guardianship.
WENDY WILLIAMS DEMENTIA DIAGNOSIS
Williams has been living in a luxury high-rise assisted-living facility in New York to address her cognitive issues and dementia diagnosis.
Her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, has complete control over her finances and health decisions. However, Williams insists that she is mentally competent and ready to take back her life.
“I feel like ending the guardianship is long overdue,” Williams told PEOPLE. “It will absolutely 1000% happen,” she added, expressing her optimism about the outcome of her battle.
Williams claims that her guardianship, initially set up to protect her finances, has become overly restrictive.
FREE WENDY WILLIAMS
Her health care advocate, Ginalisa Monterroso, supports her claim. She stated that Williams “passed” mental capacity exams during a recent hospital visit.
“She was alert and oriented, and we were satisfied with that,” Monterroso said. Williams’ situation has sparked a #FreeWendy movement, with fans rallying outside her facility in support.
Her family, too, has been vocal about their concerns. Williams’ sister, Wanda Finnie, questioned the system, saying, “I don’t know if this system is better than what the family could put in place.”
FINDING LOVE
If the guardianship ends, Williams plans to travel and find love.
She dreams of visiting Paris and living life on her terms. “I want to terminate the guardianship and move on with my life if that’s possible at all,” she said during an interview on The View.
Morrissey insists that Williams must undergo further medical evaluations before making any decisions. She scheduled an MRI brain scan and neuropsychological assessment, but Williams refused to participate.
“Once Ms. Williams undergoes testing and a full evaluation, the results will inform the next steps for Ms. Williams’ care,” Morrissey stated.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The financial implications of Williams’ guardianship are significant. With her wealth estimated to be in the millions, the control over her finances is a crucial aspect of the guardianship.
If the guardianship ends, Williams would regain control over her assets, potentially worth tens of millions of Rands.
As Williams continues her fight, her determination is inspiring fans worldwide, including in South Africa. Her story highlights the complexities of guardianship and the importance of autonomy.
“I’m a college-educated woman, I’m an internationally recognised person from radio to television,” Williams said. “I need them to stop hovering over me.”
PROVING MENTAL CAPACITY
With a potential trial by jury on the horizon, Williams is excited for her chance to prove her mental competency.
Monterroso noted, “This is something that she’s been wanting to say, and she just can’t wait to get her story out.”
For now, Williams is savouring moments like her dinner outing, where she can enjoy life without the constraints of her guardianship.
IMPORTANCE OF AUTONOMY
As she looks forward to a future free from oversight, her resilience and spirit remain unbroken. “I’m better than good,” she said, “but have been accused otherwise.”
In the end, Williams’ story serves as a reminder of the importance of autonomy and the challenges faced by those under guardianship.
As her case unfolds, it will be interesting to see how it impacts discussions around mental health and legal rights in South Africa and beyond.
HOW CAN SOCIETY BETTER SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH COGNITIVE ISSUES LIKE DEMENTIA?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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