Wendy Williams cries at son’s graduation, rides scooter in rare public appearance as she battles dementia

On By Littum

A proud mother.

Wendy Williams became emotional as she attended her son’s college graduation on Thursday in a rare outing as she battles early-onset dementia.

Wearing a sparkly dress and Chanel shoes, the former daytime TV host, 60, was accessorized with a Louis Vuitton bag as she wheeled a red electric wheelchair in and out of the kick-off event.

Williams was joined by her father, Thomas Williams Sr., 93, and her sister, Wanda Finnie, to witness Williams’ only child, Kevin Hunter Jr., 24, receive his diploma from Florida International University (FIU) in Miami , Fla.

Wendy Williams sparkles in a stunning dress at son Kevin Hunter Jr.’s graduation from Florida International University. Backgrid/MEGA
Williams has been battling early-onset dementia, which she was diagnosed with in 2023. Backgrid/MEGA

According to FIU’s commencement program, Kevin graduated from the university’s Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

He began his college journey at another Miami school, Barry University, before transferring to FIU. Kevin also took time off from school in 2021 and 2022 to help care for his mother as she struggled with her health.

Williams wiped away tears as her son Kevin graduated from college. Backgrid/MEGA
Williams’ only son graduated from Florida International University. Backgrid/MEGA

During the graduation ceremony, a beaming Williams wept and wiped away tears as Kevin walked across the stage and received his diploma.

The former “Wendy Williams Show” host was flanked by armed police officers as she left the start and got into a waiting vehicle. Kevin was seen shaking hands with one of the officers.

Kevin Hunter Jr. at its commencement ceremony. Backgrid/MEGA
Kevin took time off from school in 2021 and 2022 to help care for his mother. Backgrid/MEGA

Wendy was last seen over the weekend in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. smiling in the back of an SUV as she picked up a to-go order from local haunt Sho’nuff Oysters.

The star was accompanied by his nephew Travis Finnie, according to blogger Antoine Edwards, who recorded a video of the oyster pickup.

Wendy Williams with her sister at her son’s college graduation. Backgrid/MEGA
Williams was flanked by police outside the start. Backgrid/MEGA
Williams’ father Thomas Williams Sr., 93, was brought into the exam via a wheelchair pushed by his sister Wanda Finnie. Backgrid/MEGA

Just over a month ago, Williams’ legal guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, stated that the TV personality “has become cognitively impaired and permanently incapacitated” as a result of her early-onset dementia.

The claim was included in a Nov. 12 lawsuit Morrissey filed in her ongoing legal battle with A+E Networks, the cable network she claims exploited Williams in the Lifetime docuseries “Where Is Wendy Williams?” (Lifetime is a subsidiary of A+E).

Wendy Williams rode a red electric wheelchair outside the exam. Backgrid/MEGA
Wendy Williams and her son Kevin Hunter Jr. as she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on October 17, 2019 in Hollywood, California. WireImage

Morrissey tried unsuccessfully to block the release of the document, which was aired in February and revealed intimate details about Williams’ struggles with addiction and her finances.

The former radio DJ was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia in 2023 after the documentaries wrapped, although she reportedly showed symptoms suggestive of the condition – which includes memory loss – from the start of production.

Williams has been under a court-ordered guardianship overseeing her health and finances since 2022 after her bank, Wells Fargo, claimed she was “incapacitated.”