Photo credit: people.com

Wendy Williams Contests Conservatorship as Hospitalization Sparks Concerns

Wendy Williams continues her battle against court-imposed conservatorship, a situation that has garnered significant public interest and concern. The iconic talk show host, now 60, recently made an appearance on Good Day New York, speaking to viewers directly from her hospital room. This call followed her removal from an assisted living facility the previous day, raising questions about her ongoing care and mental health.

During her call, Williams revealed that she underwent mental competency evaluations due to a dementia diagnosis earlier in 2023, which she attributes to what she describes as cognitive impairments. “I passed with flying colors!” she declared, emphasizing her belief in her mental acuity.

Her caretaker, Ginalia Monterrosa, supported Williams during the segment, highlighting that the tests showed Williams is not incapacitated, despite the restrictions imposed by her conservatorship. Monterrosa stated to host Rosanna Scotto, “She had those tests; she’s been deemed she is not incapacitated. I think it’s great news. Everybody knows factually that Wendy’s not incapacitated.”

When questioned about the independent assessment of her mental health, Williams expressed her satisfaction, stating, “Absolutely. That is what I want, and that is what I got.” She articulated a desire to regain autonomy, sharing hopes of being released from conservatorship—which began in 2022—so she can return to a more typical lifestyle, including her aspirations to work again and remain in New York.

Reflecting on her future, Williams highlighted her determination, saying, “What will I do? I have options,” and reasserted her priority to terminate the guardianship arrangement: “In terms of getting out of guardianship, that is my number one, A, number one most important thing.”

Monterrosa also revealed her role in raising concerns regarding Williams’ well-being, mentioning that she filed a report with Adult Protective Services and contacted the NYPD for a welfare check due to her worries about Williams’ health. Monterrosa felt compelled to involve authorities, noting obstacles that prevented Williams from securing legal representation.

As the conversation evolved, Scotto broached the topic of financial management, particularly considering Williams’ past struggles with alcohol. Despite acknowledging the importance of professional oversight, Williams firmly asserted, “I don’t need that. I’m not drinking ever in my life.” She mentioned already having managed financial advisors, albeit under the supervision of her current guardian, and clarified, “The money I have right now is all with my guardian person.”

Williams painted a stark picture of life in what she described as a restrictive environment. “I’m on the fifth floor, it’s called the memory unit. This is a floor where you [go if you] don’t remember anything,” she lamented. “As far as being able to go outside, I’m not allowed. I have to stay in this building.” She detailed the process involved in leaving her designated floor even for exercise, criticizing the limitations imposed on her movement.

Expressing frustration, she recalled, “In order to go to the gym, which is on the third floor, I have to be permitted, and then I have somebody who works in this building walk me downstairs.” With her independence severely curtailed, Williams concluded with a somber sentiment, stating, “I have a landline phone. It’s horrible.”

The context surrounding Williams’ hospitalization unfolds amid heightened concern for her welfare. Law enforcement officials confirmed that on March 10, they responded to her assisted living facility following calls for a welfare check, leading to her transport by EMS to a local hospital for evaluation.

In a follow-up appearance on The Breakfast Club, Williams recounted her experience during the police intervention, expressing her exhaustion with the situation. “The police showed up. I wanted to go to the hospital to talk to the doctor,” she explained, reiterating her request for an independent medical assessment. Upon admission to the hospital, she reported successfully answering all the questions posed to her during cognitive tests, which included basic knowledge questions like identifying the current president and stating her birth date.

Source
people.com