Wendy Williams Attends Father's Funeral

Talk show host appears distraught at service for Thomas Williams near Miami

Feb. 18, 2026 at 6:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Wendy Williams was seen leaving the funeral for her father, Thomas Williams, on Monday near Miami, Florida. The legendary talk show host looked inconsolable as she departed the ceremony, dressed in all black with sunglasses. Williams has refrained from publicly commenting on her father's passing, but the loss has clearly left her deeply distraught.

Why it matters

Wendy Williams has been in a highly restrictive guardianship for over 3 years, with claims that she needed permission to travel and see family, including her father. His death marks another difficult chapter in her very public personal and legal struggles.

The details

As reported, Wendy Williams questioned earlier this year whether she would even be allowed to attend her father's birthday. Thomas Williams then passed away just days before turning 95 years old. Williams was accompanied by her niece Alex Finnie and Alex's boyfriend, Eric Houston, as she left the funeral service.

  • Thomas Williams passed away just days before his 95th birthday.

The players

Wendy Williams

A legendary talk show host who has been in a restrictive guardianship for over 3 years.

Thomas Williams

Wendy Williams' father who recently passed away at the age of 95.

Alex Finnie

Wendy Williams' niece who accompanied her to the funeral.

Eric Houston

The boyfriend of Wendy Williams' niece, Alex Finnie, who also attended the funeral.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Wendy Williams' powerhouse lawyer Joe Tacopina has said he will demand a jury trial and ask jurors to free Wendy if the judge refuses to end the guardianship.

The takeaway

Wendy Williams' father's passing is another heartbreaking event in her ongoing personal and legal struggles, as she continues to fight for her freedom from a restrictive guardianship that has allegedly prevented her from freely seeing her own family.