Wendy Williams has become one of the most beloved and contentious figures on daytime television, known for her candid and often controversial opinions on celebrities, pop culture and her own life. But how did she come to host The Wendy Williams Show from 2008-2022? We take a look back at her transformation from an upstart radio DJ to talk show queen.
Early Life and Education
Wendy Joan Williams was born July 18, 1964 in Asbury Park, New Jersey to Shirley (nee Skinner) and Thomas Dwayne Williams who were both educators. She is one of three children raised by these educators.
After race riots occurred in Asbury Park in 1970, Williams and his family relocated to Ocean Township’s predominantly white Wayside Subdivision where he attended Ocean Township High School among four black students and finished 360th out of 363 graduates in 1982.
Northeastern University in Boston was Williams’s home, where she majored in communications and graduated in 1986. From there she began her radio career by serving as an intern at Northeastern’s WRBB Campus Radio Station2.
She later went on to work as a DJ at various radio stations across Boston, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and New York – becoming known for her outspoken and sometimes confrontational interviews of celebrities as well as hot topics2. She eventually earned her nickname: the Shock Jocke.
She faced criticism and lawsuits for spreading rumors and gossip about prominent figures such as Whitney Houston, Tupac Shakur, Mariah Carey and Puff Daddy.
Wendy Williams enjoyed hosting an award-winning daily show, The Wendy Williams Experience, in New York from 2001 to 2009 which was syndicated nationally and adapted into a VH reality series in 2006.2
TV Career
Wendy Williams launched her syndicated talk show The Wendy Williams Show in 2008 with her then-husband Kevin Hunter serving as manager and executive producer2.
This talk show offered celebrity interviews, hot topics, audience participation and segments like Ask Wendy and Hot Topics Sound Off2. Nominated for multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and watched by over 10 million viewers weekly2, it became one of the most watched talk shows in America.
Williams also faced backlash for her opinions on various issues, such as R. Kelly’s sexual abuse allegations and Bill Cosby’s convictions on charges of rape; Meghan Markle’s royal exit and Britney Spears conservatorship345
Williams announced her health issues – Graves’ disease, lymphedema and COVID-192 In 2022 she announced she was experiencing them and the show ended soon thereafter. To the contrary of Williams’ statements to her viewers during this show she did have health problems that included Graves’ disease, lymphedema and COVID.19 The show ended after Williams divorced Bert Girigorie for personal reasons shortly thereafter.
She married Kevin Hunter in 1999 and gave birth to their son Kevin Hunter Jr. two years later. Prior to giving birth, she endured several miscarriages as well as plastic and liposuction surgery to enhance her breasts and shed excess weight.
Sally admitted to struggling with cocaine addiction during her radio career but eventually managed to quit taking the drug in 1994.
Sally filed for divorce from Hunter after learning he allegedly fathered a child with Sharina Hudson.:
FAQ: The Ultimate Guide to Your Questions
Q. How old is Wendy Williams?
A: Wendy Williams will turn 58 years old on July 18th 2021.
Q: At what height is Wendy Williams standing?
A: Wendy Williams stands 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm).
Q: How much is Wendy Williams worth?
A: As of 2021, Wendy Williams’ estimated net worth is $40 Million.
Q: What has Wendy Williams been up to these days?
A: Wendy Williams has begun work on her memoir, expected to be released by 2022 under the name “Wendy Williams: For the Record”. In addition, she will create a documentary entitled Wendy Williams: What a Mess! that will air on Lifetime2.
Stay tuned to Fox24x7 for the latest scoops and updates of Business News, Sports News, Technology News, World News and Entertainment News.
