Here's How Much Wendy Williams Is Really Worth
Wendy Williams has described herself in the past as the "Queen of Gossip," but she is much more than she gives herself credit for as she's built an empire all on her own. The star, who celebrated her 56th birthday in July 2020, is not just a talk show host but a radio personality, businesswoman, and writer. She has hosted her nationally syndicated talk show The Wendy Williams Show since 2008, where she became known for her snarky personality, per The New York Times. The show presented audiences with more diversity, and Williams rose to fame for her off-the-cuff remarks and analysis of fellow celebrities.
Outside of her decade-long career on daytime television, Williams had made headlines for her personal life. In 2019, Williams admitted to living in a sober house following a relapse from drug addiction. Williams then divorced her husband, Kevin Hunter, amid allegations he cheated on her with multiple women, per People. "I've been having a very, very tough year, but slowly but surely I'm climbing out of the pit, and this is one of those monumental days that makes me say, 'If you don't believe in yourself, who's going to believe in you?'" Williams said at her Walk of Fame Ceremony in October 2019, according to The Los Angeles Times.
And Williams did believe in herself — becoming one of the world's richest television hosts — and racking up production credits for her media empire. In celebration of her new Lifetime biopic premiering on Jan. 30, 2021, let's take a look at Williams' impressive net worth.
Wendy Williams is worth more than you think
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Wendy Williams is worth a whopping $40 million — and it is estimated she earns about $10 million per year on The Wendy Williams Show. This puts her salary at $55,000 per episode. In addition to the show earnings, Williams earns approximately $15 million per year through various mediums and job opportunities, including book deals and endorsements, according to Forbes. As a published author, Williams has released several books, including Wendy's Got the Heat, Ask Wendy: Straight-Up Advice for All the Drama in Your Life, and The Wendy Williams Experience — which became New York Times bestsellers, according to Penguin Random House.
Williams has managed to stay on top thanks to her business savvy. "All money isn't good money. People offer you money to do all kinds of things and next thing you know there's an obligation — and all freebies aren't worth taking," she told Market Watch.
Although Williams is still wealthy, her net worth took a hit after her divorce from Kevin Hunter in 2019. Williams reportedly had to pay Hunter, who acted as her business manager before they split, an undisclosed lump sum and $250,000 for his new living arrangements, according to Page Six. Hunter also got a "severance payment" from Wendy, Inc., and he "will maintain ownership of his businesses and his cars, including a Ferrari and Rolls Royce, as well."