Wendy Williams Shines at 61 Amidst Guardianship Struggles

WENDY WILLIAMS: FROM BEDRAGGLED TO BLOOMING BEAUTIFUL!

As Wendy Williams marked her 61st birthday, she looked like a million bucks - and we're not just talking about her Chanel purse! The TV personality, who's been residing at a luxury assisted living facility in New York after being placed under the guardianship of lawyer Sabrina Morrissey in 2022, has been waging a public war against the arrangement. And on Thursday, she proved that even in the midst of legal drama and health struggles, she can still bring the glamour!

Wendy stepped out for an early birthday dinner at Delmonico's, the iconic Manhattan restaurant, accompanied by a group of friends, including Suzanne Bass, who produced her long-running daytime talk show. The shock jock beamed and stayed ramrod straight as she walked down the sidewalk to the eatery, linking arms with Bass, who is instantly recognizable to regular viewers of The Wendy Williams Show.

Wendy cut a stylish figure for her evening out, glamming up in full hair and makeup and wearing a sleek black cocktail dress. She even wore comfortable-looking shoes to cope with her lymphedema, which she has previously said left her able to feel only "maybe 5% of my feet." Two of her lawyers joined her at dinner, where she seemed "better than ever," according to a Page Six source.

"She was walking fine, with a huge Chanel bag," a witness observed. And we're not the only ones who noticed - Wendy's dining companions posed inside the restaurant for a photo that was posted to Instagram by Max Tucci, a third-generation partner at Delmonico's and grandson of the man who bought and revamped the restaurant during Prohibition.

But despite her sprightly appearance, Wendy's battle with her guardianship continues. Earlier this month, she shared a cryptic message ahead of Mother's Day as she briefly opened up about the "horrific situation" of her ongoing conservatorship. Wendy has been at odds with Morrissey, who was appointed as her guardian in 2022.

In the post, which didn't include a shout-out to her only child, Kevin Jr., 24, Wendy thanked fans for their support and asked for continued "alliance" as she continues to push forward with actions. Updates coming soon! The message concluded with a floral animation and "Happy Mother's Day From Wendy."

Kevin Jr. has been embroiled in claims that he mishandled his mother's money and took a large amount from her bank account in 2022. Wendy's funds were later frozen, and court filings gave an explanation for the bank taking that step.

"Wells Fargo has strong reason to believe that [Williams] is the victim of undue influence and financial exploitation," the document read. The 24-year-old later denied the allegations in a Lifetime documentary. A couple of months earlier, it was revealed that Wendy had forgiven her son following the financial drama.

But despite the drama, Wendy's relationship with her son seems to have improved. In February, she reunited with Kevin Jr. to celebrate her dad's 94th birthday. The pair even shared an Instagram photo together, with Kevin writing, "Happy I could make this happen for you Papa.. I said by any means and I kept my word."

Beforehand, Wendy had expressed worry that she wouldn't be able to leave the assisted living facility to be with her dad on his birthday. Her healthcare advocate, Ginalisa Monterroso, informed People at the time: "He was there. And that's the last part. But I do know that she continued to communicate with him. And that's her honey bunny."

Wendy has been spotted out in public a few times recently, including an outing on April 11 with pals at Fresco by Scotto in NYC. In photos taken at the time, the former talk show host held a big grin on her face as she enjoyed dessert with niece Alex Finnie, Baruch Shemtov, and Rosanna Scotto.

One day earlier, Wendy had also left her assisted living facility to have dinner with Don Lemon in the Big Apple. She was accompanied by niece Alex and the former CNN host's husband Tim Malone. It came just one day after the star's guardian reportedly denied Williams from having dinner with her niece and new lawyer.

Wendy seems to have a close friendship with Lemon, and notably appeared on his podcast The Don Lemon Show earlier this year. At the time, she expressed: "My life is ridiculous. I've been with this guardian person for three years. For three years of my life... I'm isolated. I feel like I'm in prison. I can't go out. All I can do is look at the window."

Lemon then questioned Wendy if she was "incapacitated," and she simply said, "Hell f*ing no." Wendy has been diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and claims that she is not incapacitated.

As her guardianship continues to spark controversy, Wendy's fans are rallying behind her with a #FreeWendy movement. And it seems like the star is determined to break free from her conservatorship. In March, it was revealed that Wendy was obtaining a new legal team in a bold move to gain independence.

Ginalisa Monterroso, the CEO and founder of Connect Care Advisory Group, informed Page Six: "She's just stuck in what she calls a luxury prison...There's been no plan put in place for her, no paperwork, no hearings. There was no strategy or help lined up for her at all."

Wendy has also been vocal about the importance of her memory care unit being renovated to accommodate her needs. She told Good Day New York: "This is a floor, you know, you don't remember anything. Like really? And as far as me being able to go outside, I'm not allowed. You know, I have to stay in this building."

Wendy's lawyers claim that Morrissey, as guardian, did not declare Wendy Williams to be legally incapacitated. In a letter sent to thescholarlynote.com, attorneys for Morrissey stated: "Contrary to many media reports, Morrissey, as guardian, did not declare Wendy Williams to be legally incapacitated - since a guardian does not have the power to do so."

Wendy has also called into Good Day New York to explain that she passed a psychiatric evaluation with "flying colors." She later gave details about the living facility she is staying at and said: "And you know, I'm on the fifth floor. It's called the memory unit. This is a floor, you know, you don't remember anything. Like really?"

Wendy then emotionally stated that her money is "up in the air" before saying, "This is my life." Towards the end of the interview, she shared that leaving her guardianship is "the number one most important thing."

As Wendy Williams continues to navigate her complicated legal and health struggles, it's clear that this TV personality is determined to take control of her life. And with a new legal team in place and fans rallying behind her, we can't help but wonder what the future holds for this beloved celebrity.

Stay tuned for updates on Wendy's ongoing battle against her guardianship and her quest for independence!