Wendy Williams Criticizes $25K Monthly Assisted Living Facility as a Dump Amid Guardianship Battle
Wendy Williams is experiencing challenges and discontent with her current living arrangement at the upscale Coterie assisted-living facility in Hudson Yards, New York City. The former talk show host, who resides on a specialized memory care floor, is amid a legal battle concerning her guardianship.
Criticism of Living Conditions
Williams, speaking from her memory care floor, expressed dissatisfaction with the facility, describing it as a “dump.” This was confirmed by her friend, Max Tucci, owner of the Italian restaurant, Tucci. Despite Coterie’s luxurious amenities like a spa, private theater, and 24/7 nursing staff, Williams’s criticisms suggest she finds the environment unsuitable.
Williams’s restricted environment includes lacking a cell phone, although she can make outgoing calls from her room’s landline. The memory care floor is locked, requiring permissions from both Coterie and her guardian for her to leave.
Health and Legal Challenges
After a diagnosis of progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia in 2024, Williams has refuted claims of having dementia. Her guardianship was court-ordered in 2022, with her estate covering substantial fees, including $25,800 monthly for her unit. Additionally, her estate must pay legal fees and guardian Sabrina Morrissey’s fees.
A lawsuit was filed on Williams’s behalf by her ex-husband, Kevin Hunter, alleging fraudulent guardianship. However, it was dismissed, though Hunter may amend and refile. Before their divorce in 2019, due to his infidelity, Hunter received $37,500 monthly in alimony from Williams.
Assisted Living and Financial Complications
- Wendy Williams’s residence: Coterie Assisted Living Facility, Hudson Yards, NYC.
- Monthly cost: $25,800 for her memory care unit.
- Legal issues: Court-appointed guardianship and lawsuit dismissal.
Personal and Social Dynamics
Despite her confinement, Williams manages social outings, such as attending the Bach Mai Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week. She also participates in a Brooklyn megachurch, which she claims strengthens her faith.
Williams’s son, Kevin Jr., remains distanced from the ongoing legal dramas, focusing on his own path. He expressed a desire for his mother to be freed from her current situation.
Outlook on Guardianship
There is ongoing speculation about potential changes to Williams’s guardianship. A new medical report could influence the judge’s decision, possibly modifying or removing her restrictions, although an end to the guardianship appears unlikely.
As this legal and personal saga unfolds, Wendy Williams remains determined to maintain some control over her life while navigating the challenges posed by her current circumstances.
