History of Wendy Williams in Timeline
Wendy Williams Hunter is a well-known American media personality and broadcaster. She gained significant recognition for hosting the popular television talk show "The Wendy Williams Show" for over a decade, from 2008 to 2021. The show, known for its celebrity gossip, interviews, and Williams's candid commentary, became a staple in daytime television.
July 18, 1964: Wendy Joan Williams is Born
On July 18, 1964, Wendy Joan Williams was born in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
1969: Thomas Williams Makes History
In 1969, Wendy Williams's father, Thomas Williams, makes history by becoming the first black school administrator in Red Bank, New Jersey.
1970: Williams Family Relocates
The Williams family moves to the predominantly white, upper middle class suburb of Wayside in Ocean Township, New Jersey in 1970 following race riots in Asbury Park.
1982: Wendy Williams Graduates High School
Wendy Williams graduates from Ocean Township High School in 1982.
1986: Wendy Williams Graduates College
Wendy Williams graduates from Northeastern University in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and a minor in journalism.
November 1, 1987: Wendy Williams Joins WQHT
Wendy Williams starts working as a weekend fill-in at New York City's WQHT on November 1, 1987, marking a pivotal step in her radio career.
May 1990: Wendy Williams Gains Permanent Position at WRKS
After a period of filling in, WRKS offers Wendy Williams a permanent morning position in May 1990, recognizing her growing popularity.
April 1991: Wendy Williams Moves to Evening Drive Time
Recognizing her talent and audience appeal, WRKS moves Wendy Williams to host the evening drive time slot in April 1991.
1993: Wendy Williams Receives Billboard Radio Award
Wendy Williams's growing influence in radio is solidified when she receives a Billboard Radio Award for R&B Major Market Radio Air Personality of the Year in 1993.
September 26, 1994: Wendy Williams Returns to Mornings at WRKS
In an attempt to boost ratings, WRKS moves Wendy Williams back to the morning slot, where she hosts a program titled "Wendy and Company," starting on September 26, 1994.
December 12, 1994: Wendy Williams Moves to WQHT
Following Emmis's acquisition of WRKS, Wendy Williams is transferred to WQHT to host the evening drive time slot, starting on December 12, 1994.
1994: Meeting Kevin Hunter
Wendy Williams crossed paths with Kevin Hunter in 1994. Their initial meeting would blossom into a relationship that led to marriage several years later.
April 1997: Wendy Williams Suspended from WQHT
Wendy Williams is suspended from WQHT for one week in April 1997 after promoting her website, which featured a controversial doctored image.
September 1997: Wendy Williams Fired from WQHT
Following a series of controversial online comments and on-air remarks, WQHT permanently removes Wendy Williams in September 1997, sparking protests from her fans.
1997: Wendy's World Talk Show (Unaired)
A syndicated daytime talk show hosted by Williams, titled 'Wendy's World,' was set to debut in the fall of 1997 but never made it to air.
1998: Wendy Williams Joins WUSL
After her departure from Hot 97, Wendy Williams is hired by WUSL ("Power 99FM") in Philadelphia in 1998, where she continues to captivate audiences with her candid on-air persona.
November 30, 1999: Marriage to Kevin Hunter
Wendy Williams married her second husband, Kevin Hunter, on November 30, 1999. Hunter would later become her agent.
2001: Wendy Williams Returns to Radio
In 2001, Wendy Williams returned to New York radio on WBLS for a full-time syndicated time slot.
August 2003: "Wendy's Got the Heat" Release
In August 2003, Wendy Williams released her autobiography, "Wendy's Got the Heat," co-written with journalist Karen Hunter. The book explores Williams' life, delving into her childhood, struggles with drug addiction, and marriages.
2003: Blu Cantrell Interview Release
An interview conducted by Wendy Williams with singer Blu Cantrell in 2003 was featured on the DVD released as part of Cantrell's album, "Bittersweet."
2003: Infamous Whitney Houston Interview
In 2003, Williams conducted what became her most infamous interview, with singer Whitney Houston. The interview turned into a shouting match after Williams questioned Houston about her marriage and alleged breast implants.
August 2004: "Wendy's Got the Heat" Paperback Release
August 2004 marked the release of the paperback version of Wendy Williams' successful autobiography, "Wendy's Got the Heat."
June 2005: "Wendy Williams Brings the Heat: Volume 1" Release
June 2005 saw the release of "Wendy Williams Brings the Heat: Volume 1," a compilation album featuring various rap artists. The album was a collaboration between Williams and Virgin Records.
2005: Scholarship Fund Established
Wendy Williams established a $1,000 scholarship in 2005 aimed at supporting a black female high school student pursuing a degree in communications.
2006: George Veselles and Alizé Liqueurs Spokesperson
Wendy Williams secured endorsement deals in 2006, becoming the spokesperson for both George Veselles champagne and Alizé liqueurs.
2006: Conflict with Method Man
Williams had a public conflict with Wu-Tang Clan member Method Man in 2006 after she disclosed details about his wife's cancer diagnosis.
2006: The Wendy Williams Experience
A VH1 reality television series, "The Wendy Williams Experience," which chronicles events surrounding her radio show, airs in 2006.
2006: "Drama Is Her Middle Name" Release
In 2006, Wendy Williams, in collaboration with Karen Hunter, released "Drama Is Her Middle Name," the first book in a fiction trilogy centered around radio personality Ritz Harper.
2006: Scholarship and Internship Program Continued
In 2006, Wendy Williams continued her support for aspiring communicators by awarding another scholarship and providing an internship opportunity at WBLS radio station.
2007: "Is the Bitch Dead, or What?" Release
Wendy Williams and Karen Hunter continued the Ritz Harper trilogy in 2007 with the release of the second installment, "Is the Bitch Dead, or What?"
2007: Scholarship and Internship Program Extended
Wendy Williams' commitment to education remained strong in 2007, as she awarded another scholarship and internship opportunity at WBLS radio station.
July 14, 2008: The Wendy Williams Show Debuts
On July 14, 2008, Williams debuted her daytime talk show, 'The Wendy Williams Show,' with a tryout run in four cities.
2008: Syndication and Move to Television
By 2008, Williams' radio show was syndicated in numerous markets across the United States.
2008: The Wendy Williams Show Begins
In 2008, Wendy Williams begins hosting her nationally syndicated television talk show, "The Wendy Williams Show."
July 2009: National Broadcast Deal for The Wendy Williams Show
Following a successful trial run, Fox signed a deal to broadcast 'The Wendy Williams Show' nationally starting in July 2009.
2009: National Radio Hall of Fame Induction
Wendy Williams's contributions to radio broadcasting were formally acknowledged in 2009 when she was inducted into the prestigious National Radio Hall of Fame.
2009: Wendy Williams Inducted into National Radio Hall of Fame
Wendy Williams is recognized for her contributions to radio with an induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2009.
2009: "Ritz Harper Goes to Hollywood!" Release
The final book in the Ritz Harper trilogy, "Ritz Harper Goes to Hollywood!," was released in 2009. This installment was co-written with Zondra Hughes.
2009: Focus on Television Career
In 2009, Williams left her radio show to concentrate on her burgeoning television career and prioritize family time.
2009: Asbury Park Middle School Donation
Demonstrating her commitment to giving back, Wendy Williams spearheaded a donation drive in 2009, providing money and school supplies to Asbury Park Middle School.
2010: International Broadcast Deal for The Wendy Williams Show
In 2010, BET International began airing 'The Wendy Williams Show' in 54 countries.
2011: Game Show Host and Acting Debut
In 2011, Williams hosted the game show 'Love Triangle' for GSN and made her acting debut as a judge on Lifetime's 'Drop Dead Diva'.
2012: "Adorn" Jewelry and Shoe Line Launch
Expanding her entrepreneurial pursuits, Wendy Williams launched her jewelry and shoe line, "Adorn," on the QVC shopping channel in 2012.
2012: Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Wendy Williams returned to her hometown of Asbury Park, New Jersey, to provide aid and comfort. She funded hot meals, face painting, and balloon animals for 300 people affected by the disaster.
2012: Film Debut and Production Alliance
Williams made her film debut in 'Think Like a Man' (2012) and announced a production alliance to create content for multicultural audiences.
February 2013: Launch of Wendy Williams Productions
Williams and her husband, Kevin, launched Wendy Williams Productions in February 2013, a company focused on unscripted content.
May 2013: "Ask Wendy" Release
Wendy Williams ventured into the world of advice books with the release of "Ask Wendy" in May 2013.
August 11, 2013: Broadway Debut in Chicago
Williams made her Broadway debut as Matron "Mama" Morton in the musical 'Chicago', finishing her seven-week run on August 11, 2013.
2013: Wig Collection Release
In 2013, Wendy Williams added to her growing business ventures with the release of her wig collection, making it available through various online retailers.
2013: Guest Judge and Dancing with the Stars
Williams appeared as a guest judge on 'The Face' in 2013 and competed on the twelfth season of 'Dancing with the Stars'.
2013: The Heart Truth Fashion Show Participation
In 2013, Wendy Williams joined The Heart Truth fashion show, using her platform to raise awareness for women's heart health.
July 11, 2014: Comedy Debut
Wendy Williams made her stand-up comedy debut on July 11, 2014, at the Lipshtick comedy series in Las Vegas. Her performance was met with a sold-out crowd.
October 31, 2014: Return to Lipshtick
Following the success of her debut, Wendy Williams made a return to the Lipshtick stage on October 31, 2014, once again performing to a sold-out audience.
November 1, 2014: Second Return to Lipshtick
On November 1, 2014, Wendy Williams graced the Lipshtick stage for a third time, marking another successful appearance in her foray into stand-up comedy.
November 15, 2014: Premiere of Aaliyah Biopic
The Lifetime biopic 'Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B', executive produced by Williams, premiered on November 15, 2014, facing criticism for its casting and portrayal of Aaliyah's relationship with R. Kelly.
2014: Think Like a Man Too Release
Williams reprised her role in the sequel 'Think Like a Man Too', released in 2014.
2014: "Hold Me in Contempt" Release
Wendy Williams delved into the romance genre in 2014 with the release of her novel, "Hold Me in Contempt." Williams collaborated with a ghostwriter on this project.
2014: The Hunter Foundation Establishment
Wendy Williams and her ex-husband, Kevin Hunter, established The Hunter Foundation in 2014. This non-profit organization focused on combating poverty and aiding individuals transitioning from drug addiction to recovery.
2014: Wendy Williams Way Street Renaming
In a tribute to her impact on her hometown, Asbury Park renamed the street where Wendy Williams grew up as "Wendy Williams Way" in celebration of her 50th birthday in 2014.
September 2015: Premiere of Death By Gossip
The documentary series 'Death By Gossip with Wendy Williams', hosted and produced by Williams, premiered on the Investigation Discovery channel in September 2015.
2015: "The Wendy Williams Sit Down Tour: Too Real For Stand-Up" Announcement
In 2015, Wendy Williams embarked on a 12-city comedy tour titled "The Wendy Williams Sit Down Tour: Too Real For Stand-Up."
2015: Confederate Flag Removal Support
Wendy Williams publicly expressed her support for the removal of the Confederate battle flag from the South Carolina State House in 2015.
2015: Clothing Line Launch on HSN
Wendy Williams took her fashion endeavors to the HSN shopping channel in 2015 with the launch of her self-titled clothing line.
2016: Holiday Dinners for Those in Need
Through The Hunter Foundation, Wendy Williams and Kevin Hunter hosted holiday dinners for over 1,000 individuals in need during the 2016 holiday season.
2016: Criticism for Remarks on Kesha
Williams faced backlash for victim-blaming singer Kesha regarding her sexual assault allegations against producer Dr. Luke, for which she later apologized.
October 2017: Fainting Episode on "The Wendy Williams Show"
In October 2017, Wendy Williams experienced a health scare while filming her talk show, "The Wendy Williams Show," when she fainted on set. The incident was attributed to dehydration.
2017: Emergency Food Pantry Donation
The Hunter Foundation continued its philanthropic endeavors in 2017 by donating $1,000 to support the opening of an emergency food pantry.
January 2018: Criticism for Comments on R. Kelly and #MeToo
Williams faced criticism for her comments on R. Kelly and the #MeToo movement in January 2018, particularly her suggestion that an alleged 14-year-old victim of R. Kelly had consented.
February 2018: Graves' Disease Disclosure
In February 2018, Wendy Williams publicly shared that she had been diagnosed with Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid. She revealed that she had been managing the condition, which can cause hyperthyroidism, for nearly two decades.
December 2018: Shoulder Fracture
Adding to her health challenges, Wendy Williams suffered a fractured shoulder in December 2018.
2018: Be Here (behere.org) Promotion
In 2018, Wendy Williams embarked on a 10-city tour to promote Be Here (behere.org), an organization dedicated to supporting victims of drug and substance abuse. Her goal was to raise $10 million over five years.
2018: First Hiatus Due to Health Issues
Williams took her first hiatus from her show in 2018, citing health reasons as the cause for her three-week absence.
2018: College Tuition Coverage
In 2018, The Hunter Foundation extended its generosity by covering the college tuition of a student.
March 2019: Sober Living and Vertigo Disclosure
In March 2019, Wendy Williams disclosed that she had been residing in a sober living facility "for some time" as part of her journey to address personal struggles. She also revealed that she had been diagnosed with vertigo, a condition that affects balance.
April 2019: Divorce Filing
After facing challenges in her marriage, Wendy Williams filed for divorce from Kevin Hunter in April 2019, citing irreconcilable differences. This decision came after news broke of Hunter fathering a child with another woman.
May 2019: The Hunter Foundation Dissolution
The Hunter Foundation, a non-profit organization co-founded by Wendy Williams and her then-husband Kevin Hunter, was dissolved in May 2019 amidst their divorce proceedings.
June 2019: Los Angeles Pride Attendance
Wendy Williams showed her support for the LGBTQ+ community by attending Los Angeles Pride in June 2019 alongside Blac Chyna.
October 17, 2019: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
On October 17, 2019, Wendy Williams received the 2,677th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, cementing her status as a prominent figure in the entertainment world.
2019: Second Hiatus Due to Health Issues
In 2019, Williams took a six-week break from hosting her show due to ongoing health concerns.
January 2020: Divorce Finalization
Wendy Williams' divorce from Kevin Hunter was finalized in January 2020.
January 2020: Criticism for Mocking Joaquin Phoenix and Homophobic Remarks
Williams drew criticism in January 2020 for seemingly mocking actor Joaquin Phoenix's cleft palate (which he does not have) and for making homophobic comments about gay men. She later apologized for both incidents.
May 2020: Hiatus Due to Graves' Disease and The Masked Singer Appearance
Williams took a break from her show in May 2020 due to fatigue from Graves' disease, later competing on 'The Masked Singer'.
July 2021: Criticism for Coverage of Swavy's Death and Absence from Show
In July 2021, Williams faced backlash for her insensitive coverage of the death of TikTok star Swavy. Following this, she did not return to her show due to health reasons.
September 2021: Breakthrough COVID-19 Infection
Williams tested positive for a breakthrough COVID-19 infection in September 2021.
2021: The Wendy Williams Show Ends
After a successful run, "The Wendy Williams Show" comes to an end in 2021.
2021: Wendy Williams Reveals Past Trauma
In 2021, Wendy Williams publicly shares her experience of being date raped while in college.
January 2022: Wells Fargo Account Freeze and Guardianship Request
In January 2022, Wendy Williams faced legal and financial turmoil when her bank, Wells Fargo, froze her accounts. The bank filed a request with the New York Supreme Court to determine if Williams required a guardianship due to concerns about her health and well-being.
2022: End of The Wendy Williams Show
'The Wendy Williams Show' concluded production in 2022 due to Williams' ongoing health challenges.
2022: Start of Documentary Chronicling
The year 2022 marked the beginning of the period covered in the Lifetime documentary "Where Is Wendy Williams?", which chronicles the events and developments in her life.
2023: Aphasia and Dementia Diagnosis and Facility Admission
In 2023, Wendy Williams's representatives revealed her diagnoses of aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. Following these diagnoses, she was admitted to a specialized cognitive facility.
February 2024: Where Is Wendy Williams? Documentary Release and Lawsuit
In February 2024, the Lifetime documentary "Where Is Wendy Williams?", which follows Williams's life since 2022, premiered. The documentary faced a lawsuit from Williams's ex-manager, Bernie Morrissey, who unsuccessfully attempted to block its release, alleging exploitation of Williams.