Born Wendy Joan Williams, Wendy Williams is a 61-year-old American television host, media personality and former radio DJ. She became a household name through her long-running daytime program, The Wendy Williams Show, where her bold commentary and celebrity interviews built a loyal audience. In 2026, Wendy Williams’ estimated net worth is around $5 million, a significant shift from the multimillion-dollar fortune she once commanded at the height of her career.
Williams was previously married to Kevin Hunter, but she is currently divorced and single. Amid ongoing health and legal challenges, she now reportedly resides in a wellness and treatment facility in the United States under court-appointed guardianship. Her financial journey reflects both her massive success in media and the personal struggles that reshaped her fortune.
Profile Summary
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Wendy Joan Williams |
| Known As | Wendy Williams |
| Date of Birth | July 18, 1964 |
| Age (2026) | 61 years old |
| Birthplace | Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Television Host, Media Personality, Former Radio DJ, Author |
| Famous For | Hosting The Wendy Williams Show |
| Years Active | 1986 – 2022 (active media career) |
| Net Worth (2026) | Estimated $5 Million |
| Peak Net Worth | Approx. $20 Million |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Spouse | Kevin Hunter |
| Children | 1 Son (Kevin Hunter Jr.) |
| Current Residence (2026) | Wellness/Treatment Facility (Under Guardianship) |
| Major Income Sources | Television Salary, Radio Career, Books, Endorsements |
Wendy Williams’ Marriage to Kevin Hunter and Their Public Split
Kevin Hunter was Wendy Williams’ longtime husband and business partner. The couple married in 1997 and worked closely together for decades, with Hunter serving as an executive producer on The Wendy Williams Show. During the height of Wendy’s career, he played a major role behind the scenes, helping manage her brand and television success.
However, their marriage ended in 2019 after reports of infidelity surfaced. Wendy filed for divorce following news that Hunter had welcomed a child with another woman. The split marked a major turning point in her personal and financial life. After the divorce was finalized, Hunter was removed from his executive producer role, and Wendy publicly described the period as one of the most difficult chapters of her life.
Wendy Williams’ Son and Her Role as a Mother
Wendy Williams has one child, Kevin Hunter Jr., whom she shares with her ex-husband Kevin Hunter. He was born in 2000 and has largely stayed out of the public spotlight despite his mother’s high-profile career. Wendy has often spoken about how becoming a mother changed her priorities, especially during the peak years of her television success.
Over the years, Wendy has described her son as one of the most important parts of her life. Even amid health struggles and financial guardianship, reports suggest she remains emotionally connected to him. While their relationship has faced public scrutiny at times, Wendy has consistently expressed deep love and protectiveness toward her only child.
What Is Wendy Williams Net Worth in 2026?
As of 2026, Wendy Williams’ net worth is estimated at approximately $5 million — a notable decline from earlier figures reported in 2023 and 2024. In 2023, her net worth was still believed to be closer to $20 million, largely due to the long-term success of The Wendy Williams Show and her previous ventures in radio, books, and media projects. By 2024, that figure had already begun to decrease amid mounting financial and personal challenges, but the dramatic drop by 2026 reflects ongoing legal, medical, and career-related setbacks.
At the peak of her career, Wendy Williams enjoyed significant earnings from syndicated television, commanding an annual salary reported to be around $10 million, along with income from radio work, book deals, endorsements, and public appearances. However, her current estimate reflects major setbacks including the end of her talk show, suspension of her television contract, rising health care costs, costly legal battles, and financial guardianship. These factors together have contributed to the significant reduction in her net worth by 2026.
How Did Wendy Williams Build Her Fortune?
Wendy Williams built her fortune through decades of bold media work, smart brand positioning, and consistent audience engagement. She didn’t become wealthy overnight. Her earnings grew steadily from radio to television, then expanded into publishing and business ventures. At her peak, she was one of the highest-paid daytime talk show hosts in America.
Radio Career and Early Fame
Before television fame, Wendy made her name in radio. She gained national attention through The Wendy Williams Experience, where her unapologetic celebrity gossip and sharp interview style attracted millions of listeners.
Her rise in New York radio was especially important. Working at major stations, she became known for controversial commentary and exclusive interviews, which significantly boosted ratings and her earning power.
The Wendy Williams Show Salary and Syndication Earnings
Wendy’s biggest financial breakthrough came from her daytime talk show, which ran from 2008 to 2022. During its peak, she reportedly earned around $10 million per year, translating to approximately $55,000 per episode.
The show’s syndication across the United States and internationally added substantial long-term value. With 13 successful seasons, it became the primary source of her wealth.
Books, Business Ventures and Endorsements
Beyond television, Wendy expanded into publishing with bestselling memoirs and advice books that added to her income stream. She also launched fashion collections and product collaborations, further strengthening her brand.
In addition, endorsement deals and public appearances contributed millions over the years, helping her diversify earnings beyond media hosting alone.
Why Did Wendy Williams’ Net Worth Drop?
Wendy Williams’ net worth has seen a dramatic decline in recent years due to several compounding factors. The end of The Wendy Williams Show in 2022 cut off her primary source of income, while her financial guardianship limited her control over personal finances. Ongoing legal costs and medical expenses related to her health struggles, including Graves’ disease and previous dementia concerns, further strained her wealth. Additionally, the loss of contract payments and suspended television earnings contributed heavily to the drop, leaving her net worth at an estimated $5 million in 2026, a steep decline from her peak years.
Wendy Williams Net Worth Comparison
| Year | Estimated Net Worth |
| 2020 | $20 million |
| 2022 | $15 million |
| 2024 | $12 million |
| 2026 | $5 million |
What Happened to Wendy Williams?
Wendy Williams’ career and finances have been deeply affected by ongoing health struggles. She has long been open about her battle with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid, and lymphedema, which causes swelling and discomfort in the limbs. These conditions often forced her to take extended breaks from her talk show, impacting both her work and income.
In 2024, her team announced a dementia and aphasia diagnosis, sparking widespread concern about her cognitive health. However, in 2025, a re-evaluation by a top neurologist reportedly determined that she does not have dementia, though her legal and medical circumstances remain complex. Wendy continues to live under court-appointed guardianship, which oversees her personal and financial affairs while she focuses on treatment and recovery.
Is Wendy Williams Still Getting Paid?
As of 2026, Wendy Williams is no longer receiving regular income from The Wendy Williams Show. Her contract was suspended in October 2021 due to health-related incapacity, as confirmed in court filings. This suspension halted her salary and prevented any new earnings from her television work.
While her primary income stream has stopped, Wendy may still receive residuals and royalties from past episodes, syndication deals, and other media projects. However, these payments are likely limited and do not match the substantial earnings she enjoyed during the peak of her career. The combination of halted salary, legal oversight, and medical-related expenses has significantly affected her overall financial situation.
Where Is Wendy Williams Now in 2026?
In 2026, Wendy Williams is reportedly living in a wellness and treatment facility where she receives care for her ongoing health issues. Her day-to-day life is managed under court-appointed guardianship, which oversees both her medical and financial matters.
Despite her limited public appearances, Wendy has made statements expressing frustration about her guardianship, describing it as restrictive and emotionally challenging. Family involvement is minimal; while she can contact her relatives, they have limited access to her, reflecting the legal and protective measures in place. This controlled environment is intended to ensure her well-being while navigating the complexities of her health and financial situation.
Wendy Williams Career Earnings Breakdown
Wendy Williams built her wealth through a variety of income streams over her decades-long career. Her earnings can be summarized as follows:
- Television: Major earnings came from The Wendy Williams Show, where she reportedly made $10 million annually at the peak of her career. Syndication deals added significant long-term revenue.
- Radio: Early career as a radio DJ in New York and other cities provided a steady income and helped establish her celebrity profile.
- Books: Wendy released several bestselling memoirs and advice books, contributing additional revenue.
- Public Appearances: Speaking engagements, interviews, and event appearances added substantial earnings over the years.
- Other Ventures: Fashion lines, endorsements, and brand partnerships further diversified her income and enhanced her personal brand.
This multi-stream approach allowed Wendy to amass her peak fortune before recent health and financial challenges impacted her net worth.
Final Thoughts
As of 2026, Wendy Williams’ net worth is estimated at $5 million, reflecting a significant decline from her peak fortune of around $20 million during the height of The Wendy Williams Show. While her career brought immense success through television, radio, books, and endorsements, health struggles, legal challenges, and guardianship have drastically impacted her finances.
Despite these setbacks, Wendy Williams remains a cultural icon whose bold personality and contributions to daytime television left a lasting mark. Her journey is a reminder of the highs and lows that come with fame, and her story continues to captivate fans and the media alike.
FAQ’s
What is Wendy Williams’ exact net worth in 2026?
As of 2026, Wendy Williams’ net worth is estimated at $5 million, a sharp decline from her peak fortune of around $20 million during her talk show’s prime.
How much did Wendy Williams make per episode?
At the height of The Wendy Williams Show, she earned approximately $55,000 per episode, which contributed to her annual salary of about $10 million.
Why did Wendy Williams lose so much money?
Wendy’s net worth dropped due to the end of her talk show, suspension of her television contract, medical expenses, legal costs, and her financial guardianship, which limited control over her finances.
Is Wendy Williams still under guardianship?
Yes, as of 2026, Wendy Williams remains under court-appointed guardianship, which manages both her personal and financial affairs while she focuses on health and recovery.
Can Wendy Williams rebuild her wealth?
Rebuilding her fortune is possible through residuals, royalties, media projects, or business ventures, but her future earnings may depend on her health, legal status, and potential media opportunities.
