History of Wendy Williams in Timeline
Wendy Williams is an American former broadcaster, media personality, and writer best known for hosting the nationally syndicated television talk show, *The Wendy Williams Show*, from 2008 to 2021. She gained prominence for her outspoken and often controversial style, which made her a significant figure in pop culture and entertainment.
1994: Meeting and Marriage to Kevin Hunter
In 1994, Wendy Williams met her second husband, Kevin Hunter, also having separated from her first husband, Bertrand "Bert" Girigorie, after five months of marriage, with a divorce about 18 months later.
November 30, 1999: Marriage to Kevin Hunter
On November 30, 1999, Wendy Williams married her second husband, Kevin Hunter, who later became her agent.
August 2000: Birth of Son
In August 2000, Wendy Williams gave birth to her son, after suffering multiple miscarriages.
August 2003: Release of "Wendy's Got the Heat"
In August 2003, Wendy Williams released her autobiography, "Wendy's Got the Heat," co-written with Karen Hunter, focusing on her life, including childhood issues, drug addiction, and marriages, which debuted at number nine on The New York Times Best Seller list.
2003: Interview with Blu Cantrell released on DVD
In 2003, Wendy Williams's interview with Blu Cantrell was released as a DVD on the singer's album "Bittersweet".
August 2004: Reprint of "Wendy's Got the Heat"
In August 2004, Wendy Williams's autobiography, "Wendy's Got the Heat", was reprinted in paperback.
June 2005: Release of "Wendy Williams Brings the Heat: Volume 1"
In June 2005, Wendy Williams and Virgin Records released a compilation album, "Wendy Williams Brings the Heat: Volume 1", featuring various rap acts, which sold 29,000 copies by November.
2005: Scholarship Funding
In 2005, Wendy Williams funded a $1,000 scholarship for a black female high school student majoring in communications in college.
2006: Spokesperson for Champagne and Liqueurs
In 2006, Wendy Williams became a spokesperson for George Veselles champagne and Alizé liqueurs.
2006: Scholarship Funding and Internship
In 2006, Wendy Williams continued her scholarship funding, also offering internships at WBLS to recipients.
2006: Release of "Drama Is Her Middle Name"
In 2006, Wendy Williams released "Drama Is Her Middle Name", the first novel in a trilogy about radio shock jock Ritz Harper, co-authored with Karen Hunter.
2007: Scholarship Funding and Internship
In 2007, Wendy Williams continued her scholarship funding, also offering internships at WBLS to recipients.
2007: Release of "Is the Bitch Dead, or What?"
In 2007, Wendy Williams released "Is the Bitch Dead, or What?", the second novel in the Ritz Harper trilogy, co-authored with Karen Hunter.
2009: Donation to Asbury Park Middle School
In 2009, Wendy Williams led an effort to donate money and school supplies to Asbury Park Middle School.
2009: Release of "Ritz Harper Goes to Hollywood!"
In 2009, Wendy Williams released "Ritz Harper Goes to Hollywood!", the third novel in the Ritz Harper trilogy, co-authored with Zondra Hughes.
2009: Induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame
In 2009, Wendy Williams was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame.
2012: Debut of "Adorn" Jewelry and Shoe Line on QVC
In 2012, Wendy Williams debuted her jewelry and shoe line called "Adorn" on QVC and started a "Save the Twinkie" campaign.
2012: Hurricane Sandy Relief and Community Support
In 2012, following Hurricane Sandy, Wendy Williams visited Asbury Park, paying for meals, face painting, and balloon animals for children. She supported Barack Obama in the presidential election, promoted an NAACP voter helpline, posed for PETA, and headlined Philly Pride.
May 2013: Release of "Ask Wendy"
In May 2013, Wendy Williams released her advice book, "Ask Wendy".
2013: Participation in The Heart Truth Fashion Show
In 2013, Wendy Williams participated in The Heart Truth fashion show to raise awareness for women's breast cancer.
2013: Release of Wig Collection
In 2013, Wendy Williams released a wig collection to online retailers.
July 11, 2014: Comedy Debut at Lipshtick
On July 11, 2014, Wendy Williams made her sold-out comedy debut at Lipshtick in Las Vegas as part of their first all-female-based comedy series.
October 31, 2014: Return to Lipshtick
On October 31, 2014, Wendy Williams returned to Lipshtick after her sold-out debut in July.
November 1, 2014: Return to Lipshtick
On November 1, 2014, Wendy Williams returned to Lipshtick after her sold-out debut in July.
2014: Creation of The Hunter Foundation
In 2014, Wendy Williams and her then-husband created The Hunter Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting anti-poverty programs and addiction recovery resources.
2014: Release of "Hold Me in Contempt"
In 2014, Wendy Williams released a romance novel, "Hold Me in Contempt", co-authored with a ghostwriter.
2014: Wendy Williams Way
On her 50th birthday in 2014, Asbury Park renamed the street on which she grew up Wendy Williams Way.
2015: Announcement of "The Wendy Williams Sit Down Tour: Too Real For Stand-Up."
In 2015, Wendy Williams announced a 12-city comedy tour called "The Wendy Williams Sit Down Tour: Too Real For Stand-Up."
2015: Clothing Line on HSN
In 2015, Wendy Williams sold a self-titled clothing line on HSN.
2015: Support for Confederate Flag Removal
In 2015, Wendy Williams supported the removal of the Confederate battle flag from the South Carolina State House.
2016: Holiday Dinners Hosted by The Hunter Foundation
During the holiday season in 2016, The Hunter Foundation, hosted by Wendy Williams and her husband, provided dinners for over 1000 people in need.
October 2017: Fainting during Live Broadcast
In late October 2017, Wendy Williams fainted during a live broadcast of her show from dehydration.
2017: Donation to Emergency Food Pantry
In 2017, The Hunter Foundation donated $1000 for the opening of an emergency food pantry.
January 2018: Criticism for #MeToo comments
In January 2018, Wendy Williams received criticism for her comments regarding R. Kelly's alleged sexual assault victim and the #MeToo movement, stating the victim gave consent and that she was tired of the movement. Williams stood by her comments.
February 2018: Disclosure of Graves' Disease Diagnosis
In February 2018, Wendy Williams disclosed that she has Graves' disease, a condition she had been diagnosed with nearly two decades prior.
December 2018: Shoulder Fracture
In December 2018, Wendy Williams fractured her shoulder.
2018: College Tuition Payment
In 2018, The Hunter Foundation paid for a student's college tuition.
2018: Promotion of Be Here
In 2018, Wendy Williams promoted Be Here (behere.org) while on a tour to raise money for drug and substance abuse victims.
March 2019: Launch of National Addiction Hotline
In March 2019, The Hunter Foundation launched a 24/7 national hotline (1-888-5HUNTER) for those struggling with addiction.
March 2019: Living in Sober House and Vertigo
In March 2019, Wendy Williams revealed that she had been living in a sober house "for some time" and that she has vertigo.
April 2019: Filing for Divorce
In April 2019, Wendy Williams filed for divorce from Kevin Hunter due to irreconcilable differences after he fathered a child with a mistress.
May 2019: Dissolution of The Hunter Foundation
In May 2019, The Hunter Foundation was dissolved following Wendy Williams' divorce from Kevin Hunter. Afterwards, Williams partnered with SNAX-Sational Brands and Operation Backpack to raise funds for school supplies for children in shelters.
June 2019: Attendance at Los Angeles Pride
In June 2019, Wendy Williams attended Los Angeles Pride with Blac Chyna.
October 17, 2019: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
On October 17, 2019, Wendy Williams was honored with the 2,677th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
January 2020: Accusations of Mocking Joaquin Phoenix
In January 2020, Wendy Williams faced backlash for seemingly mocking Joaquin Phoenix's alleged cleft palate, prompting a Change.org petition and eventual apology. She also donated to cleft palate charities.
January 2020: Divorce Finalization
In January 2020, Wendy Williams's divorce from Kevin Hunter was finalized, though she retained her legal surname Hunter.
May 2020: Hiatus due to fatigue
In May 2020, Wendy Williams took a hiatus from her show due to fatigue caused by Graves' disease, after hosting remotely from March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
July 2021: Criticism for coverage of Swavy's murder
In July 2021, Wendy Williams was criticized for her insensitive coverage of TikTok star Swavy's murder, including comparing their social media followers and casually announcing his death on her show.
September 2021: COVID-19 Breakthrough Infection
In September 2021, Wendy Williams tested positive for a breakthrough infection of COVID-19, after which guests hosted her show in her absence, as she had not returned since July due to health issues.
January 2022: Bank Accounts Frozen and Guardianship Request
In January 2022, Wendy Williams's bank, Wells Fargo, froze her accounts and requested a New York Supreme Court hearing to determine if she needed a guardianship due to health conditions.
2022: Documentary Filming Start
In 2022 filming started for documentary chronicling Wendy Williams's life, Where Is Wendy Williams?
2022: End of "The Wendy Williams Show"
In 2022, production of "The Wendy Williams Show" concluded due to Wendy Williams's ongoing health issues.
February 2024: Airing of "Where Is Wendy Williams?"
In February 2024, the documentary "Where Is Wendy Williams?" aired on Lifetime, chronicling Williams's life since 2022, despite an unsuccessful lawsuit to prevent its release.
November 2024: Description as "Cognitively Impaired"
In November 2024, legal documents filed by Sabrina Morrissey described Wendy Williams as "cognitively impaired, permanently disabled and legally incapacitated."
January 2025: Williams Denies Cognitive Impairment
In January 2025, Wendy Williams stated during her appearance on The Breakfast Club radio show that she was "not cognitively impaired" and described her guardianship as "emotional abuse".
