Thomas Williams, the father of Wendy Williams, has died. He was 94.
Wendy’s niece, journalist Alex Finnie, confirmed Thomas’ death via Instagram on Sunday, February 8. The news comes as Wendy, 61, continues to fight the court-ordered guardianship she was placed under in 2022 on grounds of alleged cognitive impairments that she has publicly denied.
“It is with an extremely heavy heart that I share — after 94 years of extraordinary love, strength, brilliance, and wisdom, my grandfather Thomas D. Williams has passed,” Finnie, a morning news anchor for Miami’s local WPLG news outlet, wrote. “My grandfather was truly a man of great intellect — an author, educator and keeper of historical facts. Papa poured into both family and community.”
She continued, “I miss him tremendously. I’m a little lost for words right now, but I love you endlessly Papa. Give Nana a kiss for me ❤️.”
Us Weekly has reached out to a representative for Wendy for comment.
The post was accompanied by a series of photos that captured Thomas in happy times with friends and family members, including Wendy.
Fans were quick to share their condolences, with several fans sending sympathetic words regarding Wendy. One person commented, “My condolences. Wendy will miss her dad dearly,” while another wrote, “Sending love to Wendy during this devastating loss.”
Wendy, whose guardianship was granted in 2022 after Wells Fargo filed documents alleging that staff, including Wendy’s legal guardian Sabrina Morrissey, feared she was an “incapacitated person,” spoke publicly about her father in January 2025. During a radio appearance on The Breakfast Club, she revealed that she was unsure whether she would be allowed to visit Thomas on his 94th birthday.
“My dad is going to be 94 next month. I don’t know if I’m able to fly to Miami to say happy birthday to my dad,” Wendy said at the time, detailing that she had no power over her travel plans. “I’m exhausted thinking about what if I can’t see my dad for his birthday. At 94, the day after that is not promised. It’s not promised,” she added.
Wendy’s guardianship came after she revealed in February 2024 that she was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia. A rep stated at the time, “The decision to share this news was difficult and made after careful consideration, not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy, but to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and support the thousands of others facing similar circumstances.”
After the guardianship took effect, Wendy’s friends and family rallied around her, including her brother, Tommy Williams, who told Us Weekly in March 2025 that his sister was in great shape “mentally and physically.”
He exclusively told Us at the time, “Let her out.”
Three months later, Wendy’s ex-husband, Kevin Hunter, filed a $250 million lawsuit against Morrissey, Wells Fargo and Lori Schiller, a Wells Fargo employee who Williams had worked with. Weeks later, Wendy’s legal team asked for the case to be dismissed, alleging that she did not want it to go forward.
In September last year, Wendy attended multiple events at New York Fashion Week. At a Dennis Basso event, Wendy was seen with restaurateur Max Tucci and Finnie. Appearing in good spirits at the time, she posed for photos with a smile on her face.
