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Wendy Williams, 2019 | Kevin Hunter Jr. and Wendy Williams, 2019 | Source: Getty Images
Wendy Williams, 2019 | Kevin Hunter Jr. and Wendy Williams, 2019 | Source: Getty Images

Wendy Williams Son Fights to Save His Mother amid Her Aphasia Diagnosis – Inside Their Relationship

Junie Sihlangu
Feb 23, 2024
11:30 A.M.
  • Wendy Williams' team has confirmed a new diagnosis for the ailing celebrity.
  • One person who remains in her corner and who is speaking up for her is her only child.
  • Wendy and her son always had a close relationship when he was growing up.
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Wendy Williams poses with her son Kevin Hunter Jr. as she officially\\\\\\\\u00a0unveils her wax figure at Madame Tussauds New York on May 10, 2021, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Wendy Williams poses with her son Kevin Hunter Jr. as she officially\\\\\\\\u00a0unveils her wax figure at Madame Tussauds New York on May 10, 2021, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

On February 22, 2024, Wendy Williams' representatives and care team confirmed the star's struggles with Graves' Disease, Lymphedema, and other health challenges. They revealed that in 2023, Wendy underwent several medical tests before officially being diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

Wendy Williams at the ceremony honoring her with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame held on October 17, 2019, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

Wendy Williams at the ceremony honoring her with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame held on October 17, 2019, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

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The condition affects language and communication skills and frontotemporal dementia. The disorder also affected the sufferer's cognitive functions and behavior. The celebrity is said to be capable of doing many things on her own and maintains her sense of humor.

Kevin Hunter Jr. and Wendy Williams at the Jeezy "TM 104" Listening Party on August 20, 2019, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Kevin Hunter Jr. and Wendy Williams at the Jeezy "TM 104" Listening Party on August 20, 2019, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Her illness was announced to break the stigma of aphasia and to explain Wendy's recent seemingly erratic behavior. In June 2023, reports revealed that her son, Kevin Hunter Jr, then 22, is supporting his mother as she battles her health issues.

Wendy Williams and her son Kevin Hunter Jr. at the ceremony honoring his mother with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 17, 2019, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

Wendy Williams and her son Kevin Hunter Jr. at the ceremony honoring his mother with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 17, 2019, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

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Reports said he fears she's close to death and blames her team for her ailing health. He allegedly accused them of taking advantage of his mother's fame, wealth, and inability to make the right decisions while battling severe alcoholism.

Kevin Hunter Sr., his wife Wendy Williams, and their son Kevin Hunter Jr. at a celebration for The Hunter Foundation Charity on July 11, 2017, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Kevin Hunter Sr., his wife Wendy Williams, and their son Kevin Hunter Jr. at a celebration for The Hunter Foundation Charity on July 11, 2017, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Kevin Jr. reportedly said Wendy being placed under guardianship in 2022 jeopardized her mental and physical health. He claimed those responsible pushed her health concerns aside to focus on profiting from the projects she's involved in, adding:

"I know there are all sorts of things happening that I know in her right mind, she would never agree to."

Wendy Williams and Kevin Hunter, Jr. at the Nickelodeon Mega Music Fest on May 22, 2010, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City | Source: Getty Images

Wendy Williams and Kevin Hunter, Jr. at the Nickelodeon Mega Music Fest on May 22, 2010, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City | Source: Getty Images

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The celebrity's only child said it is difficult seeing her being taken advantage of but he is ensuring she is okay until she can handle matters herself. Kevin Jr. also noted that at one point Will Selby, his mother's jeweler turned manager, called him to tell him she was in a hospital after last speaking to Wendy the previous year.

Wendy Williams and her son Kevin Hunter Jr. as she's honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 17, 2019, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

Wendy Williams and her son Kevin Hunter Jr. as she's honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 17, 2019, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

In June 2023, Kevin Jr. alleged that a judge overseeing his mother's guardianship case threatened to charge him with kidnapping. At the time, he was asked to help in getting Wendy back to New York while helping take care of her in Florida in 2022. After the May 2022 judge ruling, Wendy's son said he's been so scared because of the courts and hasn't gone back to see her in New York since.

Kevin Hunter Jr. at the first of his mother Wendy William's 17 cities "Say It Like You Mean It Summer Tour" in celebration of the upcoming season 3 premiere of "The Wendy Williams Show" on August 4, 2011, in Pembroke, Florida | Source: Getty Images

Kevin Hunter Jr. at the first of his mother Wendy William's 17 cities "Say It Like You Mean It Summer Tour" in celebration of the upcoming season 3 premiere of "The Wendy Williams Show" on August 4, 2011, in Pembroke, Florida | Source: Getty Images

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That month, Judge Lisa Sokoloff appointed Sabrina Morrissey as the permanent guardian who will oversee Wendy's affairs. Kevin Jr. said those appointed to look after his mother tried changing things when they heard he was coming for a visit.

Wendy Williams and her son Kevin Hunter Jr. at Nickelodeon's Beyond the Backpack Kicks off Auction of Celebrity Backpacks on August 10, 2010, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Wendy Williams and her son Kevin Hunter Jr. at Nickelodeon's Beyond the Backpack Kicks off Auction of Celebrity Backpacks on August 10, 2010, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

His version of events links up with May 2023 reports that the television personality hadn't seen him for nearly a year while struggling with health issues and addiction. Sources close to her claimed the then 58-year-old celebrity and Kevin Jr. remain estranged.

Kevin Hunter Jr. and Wendy Williams at the Jeezy "TM 104" Listening Party on August 20, 2019, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Kevin Hunter Jr. and Wendy Williams at the Jeezy "TM 104" Listening Party on August 20, 2019, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

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Tensions between the mother-son duo allegedly began building in 2022 after Wendy left rehabilitation. An insider claimed Kevin Jr. was not communicating with his mother and she didn't see him when she visited Florida in April 2023.

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The source alleged that the star's son was unaware that she was filming a new reality show about her life. When she visited Florida, the parent reportedly neglected to inform him, but someone in production called his lawyer about her documentary, leaving him surprised.

Wendy Williams and her son Kevin Hunter Jr. at the ceremony honoring his mother with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame held on October 17, 2019, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

Wendy Williams and her son Kevin Hunter Jr. at the ceremony honoring his mother with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame held on October 17, 2019, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

The insider claimed Wendy last saw Kevin Jr. in July 2022 when he flew to New York for his mother's birthday. It was revealed that they last spoke when she was still in rehabilitation and didn't call him after her release.

Wendy Williams and her son pose at The Opening Night of "The Pee-Wee Herman Show" on Broadway on November 11, 2010, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Wendy Williams and her son pose at The Opening Night of "The Pee-Wee Herman Show" on Broadway on November 11, 2010, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

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Despite all the reports, the celebrity and her only child used to have a close relationship. In January 2021, the television personality opened up about her private life during an interview. The star confessed how she struggled to relive the memories of having miscarriages while working on "Wendy Williams: The Movie" and the documentary "Wendy Williams: What a Mess!"

Wendy Williams and Kevin Hunter Jr. at Nickelodeon's Beyond the Backpack Campaign unveiling on August 10, 2010, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Wendy Williams and Kevin Hunter Jr. at Nickelodeon's Beyond the Backpack Campaign unveiling on August 10, 2010, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

However, one thing that helped her cope and make her ordeal feel like a distant memory was having her only child and son, Kevin Jr., then 20. Wendy explained that her then-junior college student was a young man who'd seen a lot of things.

Wendy Williams and Kevin Hunter Jr. onstage as the former performs as the guest ringmaster at the Big Apple Circus on December 10, 2010, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Wendy Williams and Kevin Hunter Jr. onstage as the former performs as the guest ringmaster at the Big Apple Circus on December 10, 2010, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

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The celebrity believed he was going to become a better man than his father, Kevin Hunter Sr. She noted how well the young man handled his parents' divorce and how she'd stuck it out with his father for his well-being, adding:

"If we didn't have children, I would've been out."

Wendy Williams and her son Kevin Hunter, Jr. at the Nickelodeon Mega Music Fest on May 22, 2010, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City | Source: Getty Images

Wendy Williams and her son Kevin Hunter, Jr. at the Nickelodeon Mega Music Fest on May 22, 2010, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City | Source: Getty Images

However, having Kevin Jr., a life, and a career that was doing well made her stay put. During a 2019 "The View" interview, the television personality delved into her relationship with her son. She confirmed that they were very close, had a beautiful relationship, and that Kevin Jr. was doing well amidst his parents' divorce, noting:

“We talk every day. Sometimes a couple of times a day."

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Wendy Williams visits SiriusXM Studios on September 6, 2018, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Wendy Williams visits SiriusXM Studios on September 6, 2018, in New York City | Source: Getty Images

Back then, he was 19 and a college sophomore. The year before that, the former television show host addressed the similarities she and her son have. They both struggled with substance abuse. Wendy revealed that Kevin Jr. used to take synthetic marijuana or K2 and "poison packets."

Wendy Williams and her son Kevin Hunter Jr. at her event being honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 17, 2019, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

Wendy Williams and her son Kevin Hunter Jr. at her event being honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 17, 2019, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

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Chemicals are sprayed on the dried plants and can cause overdoses. The star saw the substance's effects when she was unsure of his return to school. She had to nurse him through his recovery while trying to act normal on her talk show, knowing she was dying inside.

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Kevin Jr.'s withdrawal from the substances was a slow one but didn't involve any medication or a psychiatrist. The celebrity said she cleaned him out and would do anything for her son. He was able to graduate from high school with honors and start college.

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"The Wendy Williams Show" host described her son as a businessman because he does things. She also notes how he wishes to be an example for other substance abuse strugglers. Despite having issues of his own, Kevin Jr. “always encouraged me to keep it going,” his mother said during her October 2019 Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.

Wendy Williams and her son Kevin Hunter Jr. at the ceremony honoring Wendy Williams with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 17, 2019, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

Wendy Williams and her son Kevin Hunter Jr. at the ceremony honoring Wendy Williams with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 17, 2019, in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images

The star shared how he never asked her to hold back from things she said or what she wore and has always been encouraging of her. Now that she is divorced, she feels it's the two of them against the world.

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When her son was a teenager, Wendy was asked if she approached parenting him with her "tell it like it is" approach she used on her show, or if he makes her softer. The mother of one revealed she uses the same approach with him as the one she's adopted on her show.

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However, she refrained from giving more information than what she felt he could handle. She said he communicated with her and his father, and they went back and explained further when he had more questions.

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The last time Kevin Jr. posted on his Instagram account was on August 20, 2023. At the time, he posted the most recent picture of himself looking well and posing for the camera. Many of his followers rushed to leave kind comments like, "You are so handsome," echoed by another, "You are gorgeous," and "You are your mother's twin."

The messages might not be to support young Kevin Jr., but they hopefully give him something to smile about and hold on to as he continues fighting for his mother. Amomama extends our best wishes for Wendy Williams' well-being and may the best outcome favor her and her family.

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The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, and images contained on news.AmoMama.com, or available through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only. news.AmoMama.com does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider.

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