- Thomas Williams Sr. apparently is the father of popular American radio Dj turned talk show host and writer, Wendy Williams
- The former teacher not only raised one of the talk show’s celebrated personalities but he was married to Wendy’s mother for many years
- Williams Sr. though now a nonagenarian lost his lifelong partner to death and is now left to witness his second daughter’s health and legal battles
Thomas Williams Sr. made it to the headlines following his 91st birthday splash that his embattled celebrity daughter threw for him in February 2022. Having lived as a retired teacher quietly for many years, Wendy Williams’s father has been linked to the health complications of The Wendy Williams Talk show host.
Though his life is not as widely covered as his popular daughter’s, he is instrumental in her evolving years through the support that he offered her. Notably, his daughter, Wendy started her career as an On-Air personality and juggled it with Disc Jockeying before switching to television in a career that lasted many decades.
Who Is Thomas Williams Sr.?
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Thomas Williams Sr. is well known as the father of the American talk show host, media personality, writer, and businesswoman, Wendy Williams. She became a well know public figure following the success of her syndicated talk show, The Wendy Williams Show which ran from 2008 to 2022.
He was born Thomas Dwayne Williams on February 17, 1971.
Thomas Williams Sr. Is A Retired Teacher
Long before he came to the limelight as Wendy Williams’s father, Mr. Willaims Sr. had a teaching career that lasted many years. Reportedly, he reached the rank of school principal before his retirement.
In his active teaching years, Mr. Williams Sr. taught English. Notably, his career-high points include attaining the position of school administrator. By extension that position made him the first black administrator in Red Bank, New Jersey.
He also taught English at Monmouth college and bagged two novels to his name. His daughter once revealed that her father quotes Shakespeare.
Other Interesting Facts To Know About Wendy Williams’s Father
1. Thomas Williams Sr. Had A Longlasting Marriage With Shirley Williams
Even though all we know about the celebrity father is due to his relationship with his successful daughter Wendy, he had a fascinating marriage with her mother, Shirley Williams.
The two are said to have tied the knot in 1957 before moving to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Throughout their marriage, both partners grew the family while growing their careers. Notably, both shared the same career line as teachers.
However, his wife, Shirley specialized in the field of special education. It is stated that their quest for knowledge earned them three master’s degrees. They later moved the Williams family in 1970 to Wayside which was a better suburb of Ocean Township in New Jersey.
2. Wendy Is Not His Only Child
Despite the popularity that he gained as the father of the talk show host, Wendy is not his only child. As per the widely known details about his family, he had three children with his wife, Shirley of which Wendy is the second child.
Her other siblings, Wanda Williams and Thomas Williams live quietly and away from publicity. Wanda, his oldest child is a trained lawyer while his youngest child Thomas Jr also referred to as Tommy Williams obtained his training in marketing.
3. His Daughter Wendy Is Very Close To Him
Despite being 60 years old, the TV host remains a ‘daddy’s girl’. Wendy Williams showed her love for her father when she went all out to celebrate him on his 91st birthday in February 2022.
Her social media pictures of her and Mr. Williams Sr. confirmed the close relationship that the two have. This side of her is a tickle for her loyal fans that witnessed some of her eccentric and most daring interviews. ‘The Wendy’ as she describes her bold personae is known as one of the most fearless hosts that are not afraid to ask even the most sensitive questions from guests.
4. He Lost His Wife Of Many Years In 2020
Wendy’s father had a long marriage with Wendy’s mother, Shirley. The sad death of his wife whom he shares many children and memories with occurred in December 2020 while taking a stroll on a Florida beach was quite shocking.
One of the devastating outcomes of the sad event is seen in his daughter’s video upload on her Instagram page. Accordingly, Wendy is said to have spoken of her dead mother in the present while misrepresenting her age. While this can be linked to the pain of losing her dear mother, many people brought up the issue.
Responding to the video, her representative affirmed that Wendy indeed misspoke. This is coming in the recent health challenge that Wendy has been battling.
5. The Truth Behind His Daughters Long Absence From Her Talk Show
She was forced to leave her talk show of many years due to her receding health. In the ensuing outcome, Sherri Shriner got Wendy’s old time slot. While this creates a new dimension to the impact of the radio Dj turned talk show host’s complicated life, Shriner, her replacement is not new to hosting.
She had stood in for Wendy during her long absences due to ill health. Yet, leaving her show has not been easy for her. In fact, Wendy stated that she would not watch Shriner’s new show which will replace hers.
6. Mr.Thomas Williams Sr.’s Daughter Wendy Had A Legal Dispute With Wells Fargo
As the story goes, Wendy suffered a health condition that confined her to a wheelchair. Reportedly, Wendy filed a lawsuit against her bank Wells Fargo after the bank froze her account.
The bank took the action with regards to her health which it claim disabled her from making decisions. The bank reportedly froze her account in mid-January and later sent a letter to Judge Arlene Bluth of the New York Supreme court demanding a guardian to look into her financial affairs.
Obviously, the alarm was raised by Wendy’s financial advisor, Lori Schiller who claimed Williams Sr.’s daughter had an unsound mind. Wendy kicked back by filing for a temporary restraining order against the bank.
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7. How Rich Is The Celebrity Father?
Mr. Williams Sr. is a retired teacher and as of this writing, there are no details of his net worth. However, he is often associated with the most famous among his children, Wendy.
Reportedly, the talk show host and radio personality has done quite well in her career that has spanned many decades. Wendy Williams has a net worth of $40 million. As per the financial crunches of the media personality, she earns an annual salary of $10 million dollars from her talk show.
Despite the financial dips she suffered following her divorce from Kevin Hunter, her second husband, Wendy still retains her money.