Wendy Williams has revealed her mother, Shirley Williams, has died.
On Monday, the host of The Wendy Williams Show confirmed her mother’s death, revealing that she died “many, many, many, many weeks ago” and that she was “surrounded by love”.
“My mom passed away many, many, many, many weeks ago,” Williams said. "You know how you lose track of the day and time? All I know is that it was a long time ago. The five of us, my mom, dad, my siblings, the five of us - she will always be here."
The 56-year-old added: “She passed away beautifully and peacefully and surrounded by love. She didn’t suffer, not one bit, thank goodness.”
During Monday’s episode, the talk-show host also reflected on the relationship she had with her mother, a learning disabilities resource specialist, who she referred to as “the best mother”.
“Our relationship was like that of two teenage girls,” Williams told her audience. “Gone is the best mother, the best girlfriend that a girl could ever have.”
Williams also expressed her gratitude over having her mother as long as she did, adding: “I feel fortunate that I had her in my life all of my 56 years.”
Fans knew Shirley from her occasional appearances on The Wendy Williams Show, during which she would help her daughter host.
During one appearance in 2010, Shirley recalled the day Williams was born in 1964, describing her daughter as a “ray of sunshine”.
“In 1964, my family was full of stress and in a lot of darkness because my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer," Shirley said during the episode, according to US Weekly. "But then, a ray of sunshine came into our lives. Wendy was born in July. So what a wonderful blessing it was to us, that one was ready to be taken away in October, and one brought a ray of sunshine and hope and wonderful, bubbly personality into our lives."
Following Williams’ announcement, fans have shared their condolences on social media.
“Sending prayers to #WendyWilliams and her family. I hope she finds peace in the memories she shared with her mom,” one person wrote on Twitter.
Another said: “Sending love and prayers to @WendyWilliams... I have watched and listened to you for over 25 years and I know how close you were to your mom. I’m so sorry for your loss. God bless you and your family.”
