Wendy Williams Net Worth 2024: How Much Does She Make?

It is estimated that Wendy Williams has a net worth of $5 million as a TV host, businesswoman, media personality, and author. In a Lifetime documentary from 2024, Wendy claimed “no money.” If this claim is true, it would be especially shocking given that she earned millions of dollars per year at her peak.

During the airing of the documentary, it was revealed that Wendy had dementia and aphasia, and had been under financial guardianship since 2022. Despite her lack of control over her assets, Wendy may have money. The next sections will provide more information about her claims and finances.

From 2008 to 2022, Wendy Williams hosted the nationally syndicated television talk show “The Wendy Williams Show.”

In the beginning, she was a radio personality known for her controversy and candidness, which helped her stand out in New York City and other urban markets. After launching “The Wendy Williams Show” in 2008, Williams transitioned to television. As a result of the show’s unique combination of celebrity gossip, interviews, and Williams’ outspoken personality, it became a staple on daytime TV. Her presence in the entertainment industry extends beyond TV, as she has written several novels, both fiction and nonfiction.

She cemented her status as a cultural icon with her direct approach and the famous “How you doin’?” catchphrase, which resonated with a wide audience. Williams has demonstrated resilience throughout her career, discussing topics such as substance abuse and mental health, thus influencing public discussion despite facing personal and health challenges.

What is Wendy Williams Net Worth?

Despite her previously reported net worth of $20 million in 2023, Wendy Williams is now reported to have a net worth of $500,000. What caused Wendy Williams’ net worth to plummet?

Following the cancellation of The Wendy Williams Show in 2022, Wendy Williams’ net worth appears to have dwindled. In recent revelations, Williams herself has painted a shocking picture of her current financial state. After her bank accounts were frozen in February 2022, Wendy Williams candidly claimed she had no money in a teaser for her documentary series Where Is Wendy Williams , which airs on Lifetime in 2024. 

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The former adviser of Williams told her bank at the time that she was of “unsound mind,” according to court records. Several weeks after Wells Fargo froze her accounts, the bank filed a lawsuit in New York, arguing that the talk show host was at risk of “financial exploitation, dementia, or undue influence.” Their petition was approved, and an unnamed financial guardian was appointed to handle her finances.

According to the trailer for the four-part docuseries, Williams says, “I do not have any money. If it happened to me, it could happen to you.” Her claim offers a glimpse into the complexities of her financial situation and raises serious questions about the extent to which she is able to access her wealth. She continues to live under a court-appointed guardian, who remains in charge of managing her financial affairs for now.

Career Highlights

Throughout her career, Wendy Williams has achieved many milestones and achievements. In addition to her significant presence in broadcasting, Wendy has embarked on a variety of endeavors, including writing books, appearing in films and TV shows, touring with a comedy show, and launching fashion, jewelry, and wig lines. Her achievements include being inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame and receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her childhood home in Asbury Park, New Jersey, was renamed Wendy Williams Way in recognition of her contribution.

A syndicated talk show, Wendy Williams’ first foray into television, premiered in 2002 and featured celebrity interviews, hot topics, and audience participation. Although the show was canceled in 2004 after struggling to find a stable time slot, it returned in 2006 with a renewed focus on entertainment news and celebrity gossip.

Her daytime talk show, “The Wendy Williams Show,” was a career milestone for Wendy in 2008. The show was praised for its “Hot Topics” segment, in which Wendy discussed celebrity news and gossip. “The Wendy Williams Show” earned Wendy a nomination for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host for her bold and unapologetic approach, which made her a household name. Guests were interviewed, musical performances were performed, and audience interaction was incorporated into the show.

Literary Pursuits

She published her autobiography, Wendy’s Got the Heat, in 2006, in addition to her broadcasting career. Wendy Williams has made significant contributions to literature in addition to her broadcast career. Her book provided insight into her personal and professional lives, including drug addiction, body image issues, and relationships, among others. Her openness about her struggles made her popular with her fans.

She also wrote fiction, contributing to a trilogy about radio shock jock Ritz Harper and his life and career. “Drama Is Her Middle Name” in 2006 and “Is the Bitch Dead, Or What?” in 2007 were co-authored with Karen Hunter, a journalist for the New York Daily News. A collaboration with Zondra Hughes produced the third installment, “Ritz Harper Goes to Hollywood,” released in 2009.

The novel, “Hold Me in Contempt,” was Wendy’s first foray into the romance genre in 2014. She revealed that the book was a collaboration with a professor who served as a ghostwriter. Wendy’s versatility in literary pursuits was demonstrated in this creative endeavor.

Philanthropy and Advocacy

Through her career, Wendy Williams has supported a wide range of charities, including those addressing addiction recovery, HIV/AIDS awareness, and breast cancer research. She is committed to making a positive difference in others’ lives that goes beyond the entertainment realm.

The Wendy Williams Show paid Wendy Williams how much?

It worked out to about $55,000 per episode for Wendy Williams to work for The Wendy Williams Show. Her salary was $10 million per year. 

The celebrity gossip host stopped hosting the show in September 2021, even though the talk show was officially canceled in February 2022. It was during this time that Williams was on medical leave due to her ongoing battle with Graves disease, an autoimmune disorder she had been diagnosed with in 2018.

Her then-attorney filed a motion in December 2022 claiming she had not received any income from The Wendy Williams Show during her medical leave. As the plaintiff’s attorney wrote in a court filing, Talk WW notified her on October 15, 2021 that her contract would be suspended and that she would not receive compensation during her disability and incapacity. 

According to her attorney, Wendy Williams did not have any other television show that paid her income, let alone a comparable salary. As of 2024, it is unclear what Wendy Williams’ salary is, much less if she receives any allowance as a result of her financial guardianship.

Early Life

On July 18, 1964, Wendy Williams was born in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Her parents, Shirley and Thomas Williams, moved her family to Ocean Township, NJ when Wendy was five years old. When she graduated from Ocean Township High School, she attended Northeastern University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Northeastern and worked as a DJ for the college radio station WRBB while there.

Radio Career

A year after landing her first job as a radio professional, Williams worked as a substitute DJ at WRKS in New York City. Her next position was as a morning host at WOL in Washington, DC. After a format change, Wendy moved over to NYC’s Hot 97 urban station, where she stayed from 1994 to 1998 as one of the most popular full-time DJs, hosting the most important drive-time shift. It was while working at a station in Philadelphia, WUSL, that Wendy met her eventual husband, Kevin Hunter, who would become her agent and manager. After being fired in 1998, Wendy was hired by a station in Philadelphia, WUSL.

Her show eventually became syndicated across the country. In addition to helping the station move from 14th place to 2nd place in ratings, she helped grow her popularity by discussing her own experiences with miscarriages, former drug addiction, and breast enhancement surgery. In 2001, Wendy returned to NYC for a full-time syndicated 4-hour time slot on WBLS. In an interview with Williams, Wendy gained a lot of fame in radio. After being inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2009, Wendy left the radio show to pursue a career in television.

The Windy Williams Show

In the modern era, Wendy Williams is best known for hosting “The Wendy Williams Show,” a popular syndicated television program.

Debmar-Mercury offered Wendy Williams a six-week trial for her own television talk show in 2008. A deal with Debmar-Mercury to broadcast the Wendy Williams Show nationally was signed in 2008 after the show debuted in July 2008. It has been very successful, attracting 2.4 million viewers a day on average. BET also acquired cable rights to broadcast the show at night and began airing the show internationally to 54 countries through BET International in 2010. With more than 1,500 episodes aired through 13 seasons, the talk show took the top spot among women 25-54 during the November 2015 sweeps.

In February 2019, Williams was forced to take some unprecedented time off due to complications due to Graves’ disease. Until Wendy returned on March 4, 2019, guest hosts, including, filled in for her. Wendy: The Wendy Williams Show was nominated for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host in 2015 and 2016. People’s Choice Awards were given to her in 2016 as favorite daytime TV host.

The show was replaced by a variety of guest hosts in 2021 after Williams took an indefinite leave of absence due to a variety of medical issues and illnesses. As of February 20, 2023, Debmar-Mercury announced the successor to “The Wendy Williams Show,” Sherri, would begin filming.

Acting Career

Besides acting in TV, films, and theaters, Williams has also dabbled in stand-up comedy. Aside from her appearances on the television shows “Martin,” “One Life to Live,” and “Dancing with the Stars,” Wendy also starred in the films “Act Like a Lady,” “Think Like a Man,” and “World War Z,” which followed that film.

The Wendy Williams Sit Down Tour: Too Real for Standup launched in 2015, after Williams went on a comedy tour in 2014.

In 2013, Wendy Williams Productions was founded by Williams and her husband, Kevin.

Aside from “Drop Dead Diva” (2011), in which she acted as a judge, and “Dancing with the Stars” season 12, Williams has also appeared in the Broadway musical Chicago, which ran for seven weeks in 2013. As well as producing several shows for various channels, Williams starred in the Lifetime biopic “The Princess of R&B” (2014) and hosted the GSN game show “Love Triangle” (2011).

Books and Other Ventures

The Wendy Williams Experience, Wendy’s Got the Heat, “Ask Wendy: Straight-Up Advice for All the Drama in Your Life,” “Drama Is Her Middle Name,” “Is the Bitch Dead, Or What?,” “Ritz Harper Goes to Hollywood,” and “Hold Me in Contempt: A Romance” Wendy is well known for her catchphrase, “How you doin’?”

On March 28, 2015, Wendy Williams partnered with the Home Shopping Network (HSN) and launched a line of dresses, pants, sweaters, and skirts. A Wendy Williams line is sold exclusively at HSN, and the network said that her debut was the most watched premiere ever for the network when she told viewers on her talk show. In addition, Williams sells jewelry under the name “Adorn by Wendy Williams” on the QVC home shopping network.

Divorce And Personal Issues

Due to hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease, Wendy wears wigs in public due to her thyroid condition. In 2019, Wendy revealed she was diagnosed with lymphedema, a condition that causes swelling in the ankles. When Wells Fargo froze Wendy’s accounts in early 2022, she requested a court hearing to determine if her health conditions made her incapacitated and required guardianship.

After five months of separation from her first marriage and a year and a half of divorce proceedings, Wendy separated from her second marriage. She married on November 30, 1997. Their son, Kevin Jr., was born in 2000. He grew up to become Wendy’s manager. Several times, Kevin Hunter was said to have been unfaithful to Wendy, as well as physically abusive.

There were rumors in 2019 that Kevin had welcomed a mistress’ baby. Wendy revealed on her show that she had been living in a sober house for 22 years due to her cocaine addiction. Wendy filed for divorce after 22 years of marriage with Kevin in April 2019. According to the court filing, the couple was irreconcilably different and sought an appropriate child support amount and asset split.

 Where is Wendy Williams today?

In February 2024, Wendy Williams remained in a facility to treat her cognitive issues under a legal guardianship. In a statement released on February 22, 2024, the medical team of the beloved talk show host revealed that he suffered from frontotemporal dementia and aphasia.

The statement said, “Wendy’s fans know that in the past she has been honest about the health issues she has been dealing with, including Graves’ disease and lymphedema.” As a result of a battery of medical tests in 2023, Wendy was officially diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

Despite her mental health challenges, Wendy’s life was already hampered by aphasia, a condition affecting speech and communication, and frontotemporal dementia, a progressive impairment of behavior and cognition.

While receiving treatment for her illness, Williams’ medical team noted that she still retains her “trademark sense of humor” and “does many things for herself.”

She calls her family occasionally to check in, but her family can’t reach out to her at her treatment facility, People reports. Her sister, Wanda Finnie, said, “I spoke with her yesterday, and we speak very regularly when she reaches out to me. She seems to be in a wellness, healing environment,” according to her sister. 

The docuseries, Where Is Wendy Williams, shows her in a healing place emotionally. She isn’t the same person you see in the film, Finnie said, referencing the docuseries. She added, “We cannot reach out to her, but she can reach out to us.” She said, “I have no idea what is working, but when she reached out to me, she was a person very different from the person we see in the documentary.”

A conclusion on Wendy Williams’s net worth

It is clear that Wendy Williams has resilience, tenacity, and the ability to connect with people throughout her life and career. Wendy navigated a challenging path that included success, controversies, personal struggles, and ultimately, resilience, from her early days as a radio DJ to becoming a television icon. In the heavily white and male-dominated world of media and entertainment, she became a trailblazer as a Black woman in the predominantly white and male-dominated industry.

While Wendy Williams faced controversies, ups and downs, and personal challenges, her ability to confront taboo topics and express herself fearlessly contributed to her enduring popularity. The complexities of Wendy Williams’s journey are evident in the reflections of her multifaceted career and her indelible mark on the media landscape. Despite the end of her talk show, her legacy will endure, and her contributions to the entertainment industry will endure for years to come.

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