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Wendy Williams’ Father, Thomas D. Williams, Dies at 94

Clay Cane
February 10, 2026

TV talk show host Wendy Williams attends a ceremony honoring her with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, in Los Angeles. Williams has been diagnosed with a rare form of dementia called frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, according to a statement released Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, on behalf of her caretakers. It affects parts of the brain controlling behavior and language. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP, File)

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(AURN News) — Wendy Williams’ father, Thomas D. Williams, has died at 94, People.com reported.

Journalist Alex Finnie, Wendy’s niece, announced the news in a heartfelt Instagram tribute on Feb. 8, sharing a montage of family photos set to Stevie Wonder’s “As.” In her caption, Finnie described her grandfather as a man of “extraordinary love, strength, brilliance and wisdom,” calling him an author, educator and keeper of historical facts who poured into both family and community.

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A post shared by ALEX FINNIE (@alexcfinnie)

Thomas Williams’ death comes as Wendy Williams, 61, continues her legal fight to end her court-ordered guardianship. The former talk show host has denied claims that she is cognitively impaired and has sought greater independence.

She was last photographed with her father in Miami in February 2025 during his 94th birthday celebration. The guardianship was upheld in August 2025, according to court records.

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Clay Cane is an award-winning journalist, writer, radio host, and political commentator. A graduate of Rutgers University with a degree in African-American Studies, his work on race, culture, and politics have appeared in national publications, including the Washington Post, CNN, and The Grio. Clay is a regular political commentator on MSNBC. Twitter: @claycane