Wendy Williams has been one of the most recognized faces in daytime television, known for her bold personality, celebrity gossip, and signature catchphrase, “How you doin’?”. Despite her tremendous success, her financial status has recently become a topic of speculation. With reports of financial guardianship, legal battles, and health struggles, Williams’ net worth and access to her fortune have raised many questions. Here’s an in-depth look at her net worth, career, and personal life.
Wendy Williams’ Net Worth and Financial Status
As of 2025, Wendy Williams’ net worth is estimated at $5 million. However, in her 2024 Lifetime documentary, she claimed:
“I have no money, and I’m gonna tell you something. If it happens to me, it could happen to you.”
This statement shocked fans, considering that at the height of her career, she was earning $10 million per year, filming 180 episodes annually, and making approximately $55,000 per episode.
Financial Guardianship and Frozen Assets
In 2022, Wendy Williams was placed under financial guardianship by a New York judge after being deemed incapacitated due to health struggles. This followed reports that Wells Fargo froze her bank accounts, citing concerns of financial exploitation by individuals in her inner circle. The bank’s decision was based on recommendations from her former financial advisor, Lori Schiller, whom Wendy had fired. Despite this, Wells Fargo continued to restrict her access to her finances.
In January 2024, the IRS filed a $568,451 lien against her New York City condo for unpaid taxes from 2019 and 2021.
Wendy Williams’ Career and Earnings
Early Life and Education
Wendy Joan Williams was born on July 18, 1964, in Asbury Park, New Jersey. She was the second of three children born to Shirley and Thomas Williams. At age five, her family moved to Ocean Township, NJ.
She graduated from Northeastern University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in communications. While in college, she worked as a DJ for WRBB, setting the stage for her radio career.
Radio Career: The Start of Her Success
Williams started her professional radio career at WVIS in the Virgin Islands, before moving on to New York City’s WRKS. She later landed roles at stations such as Hot 97 in NYC and WUSL in Philadelphia, where she built a reputation for her unfiltered, honest interviews.
During her time at WBLS in New York, Wendy conducted a controversial interview with Whitney Houston, skyrocketing her popularity. She left radio in 2009 to focus on her television career but was already inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame.
The Wendy Williams Show: A Daytime TV Phenomenon
In 2008, Wendy was offered a six-week trial for her own talk show, which later became “The Wendy Williams Show”. The show was an instant hit, leading to national syndication. It ran for over 13 seasons, garnering 2.4 million daily viewers and featuring more than 1,500 episodes.
Some of Wendy’s biggest achievements with the show include:
- Daytime Emmy nominations in 2015 and 2016
- People’s Choice Award nomination in 2016
- Becoming a dominant figure in celebrity gossip journalism
In 2021, Wendy took an indefinite leave of absence due to health issues, including complications from Graves’ disease and lymphedema. Guest hosts, including Nick Cannon, filled in, but in February 2023, Debmar-Mercury canceled her show and replaced it with “Sherri,” hosted by Sherri Shepherd.
Acting, Writing, and Business Ventures
Acting Career
Williams has appeared in various TV shows and movies, including:
- “Martin”
- “One Life to Live”
- “Dancing with the Stars” (Season 12 contestant)
- “Think Like a Man” and its sequels
- “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates”
She also had a Broadway stint in “Chicago” in 2013, performing a seven-week run.
Books and Fashion Line
Williams is a best-selling author, having written books like:
- “Wendy’s Got the Heat” (Memoir)
- “The Wendy Williams Experience”
- “Ask Wendy” (Advice Book)
- “Drama Is Her Middle Name” (Fiction)
She also launched “The Wendy Williams Line” on HSN, selling clothing and accessories, with record-breaking sales.
Personal Life: Marriages and Health Struggles
Marriage to Kevin Hunter and Divorce
Wendy married Kevin Hunter in 1997, and they had one son, Kevin Hunter Jr., born in 2000. Kevin became Wendy’s manager and business partner. However, their relationship deteriorated due to Kevin’s alleged infidelity and abuse.
In 2019, Wendy filed for divorce, which was finalized later that year. She later fired Kevin from her show, cut all business ties with him, and began a new chapter of independence.
Health Struggles
Over the years, Wendy has battled:
- Graves’ disease (autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid)
- Hyperthyroidism
- Lymphedema (causing swelling in her ankles)
- Alcohol and substance abuse (she openly discussed her past addiction to cocaine)
In February 2024, Wendy’s team announced that she had been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia, the same condition affecting Bruce Willis.
Real Estate and Financial Downfall
Despite earning millions, Wendy has faced serious financial and legal troubles.
Real Estate Portfolio
Some of her major real estate transactions include:
- 2009: Purchased a 6,000-square-foot home in Livingston, NJ, for $2.1 million (Sold for $1.475 million in 2020).
- 2019: Bought a $3 million Manhattan penthouse.
- 2021: Purchased a $4.5 million NYC condo at 50 West Street, featuring a lap pool, sauna, and Observatory.
- 2023: Began selling her belongings, hinting at a move to Los Angeles.
Financial Problems
The biggest blow to her financial standing came in 2022, when her bank froze her accounts, leaving her unable to pay employees or cover personal expenses. In 2024, the IRS filed a lien against her condo for $568,451 in unpaid taxes.