Wendy Williams & Kevin Hunter Divorce
A talk show queen's divorce became a case study in infidelity, guardianship, and post-divorce financial control.
Key Facts
What Happened
Wendy Williams filed for divorce from Kevin Hunter in April 2019 after nearly 22 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. The filing came amid revelations that Hunter had fathered a child with his alleged long-time mistress, Sharina Hudson. For years, Williams had publicly denied rumors of Hunter's infidelity on her own talk show, making the eventual filing all the more dramatic.
The divorce was finalized in January 2020 with terms that appeared to favor Williams. She retained sole ownership of Wendy, Inc., their shared production company, buying out Hunter's shares. They agreed to split profits from their New Jersey home. Hunter received a $250,000 housing allowance and kept his Ferrari and Rolls-Royce. Notably, the original agreement stipulated no alimony for either party.
The situation took a darker turn when Wells Fargo obtained financial guardianship over Williams in May 2022, claiming she was an 'incapacitated person' and victim of 'undue influence and financial exploitation.' With Williams's finances under court control, Hunter's alimony payments were cut off. A New Jersey judge denied his demand for $250,000 per month in continued support.
Hunter later attempted to have the entire divorce overturned, claiming Williams had hidden $48 million from him during settlement negotiations. The case illustrates the complex intersection of divorce law, guardianship, and financial control, a cautionary tale about what happens when a celebrity's health and finances deteriorate after a divorce is finalized.
Legal Breakdown: When guardianship intersects with divorce obligations
Guardianship Overriding Divorce Agreements
When Williams was placed under financial guardianship, it effectively overrode portions of the divorce agreement. A guardian can seek to modify support obligations if they determine the protected person's finances cannot sustain them. This is an increasingly relevant issue as divorce intersects with mental health and capacity concerns.
Business Ownership in Divorce
Williams's retention of Wendy, Inc. was a critical outcome. When one spouse's name and identity are inseparable from a business, courts often find it equitable for that spouse to retain the business while compensating the other through other means.
Post-Divorce Attempts to Overturn Settlement
Hunter's claim that $48 million was hidden illustrates the difficulty of finalizing high-asset divorces. If undisclosed assets are later discovered, the non-disclosing party can face severe legal consequences, and the settlement itself may be reopened.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →Financial guardianship can override divorce agreements, making post-divorce financial planning critical.
- →When your identity is the business, retaining ownership in divorce becomes both a legal and practical necessity.
- →Full financial disclosure during divorce is legally required; hidden assets can result in the settlement being overturned.
- →Post-divorce financial obligations can collapse if one party's health or capacity changes, leaving the other without expected support.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.