Hollywood legend Bruce Willis, celebrated for iconic roles in Die Hard, The Sixth Sense, and Pulp Fiction, is battling frontotemporal dementia (FTD)—a condition that affects personality, behavior, and communication, as explained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In a heartfelt interview on ABC’s special episode “Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey”, his wife Emma Heming Willis shared the struggles and emotional challenges of caring for her husband. She revealed that while Bruce is physically strong, “it’s just his brain that is failing him.”
Emma explained how the family has adapted to a new way of communicating with the actor. She said, “He’s holding our hands. We’re hugging him. He’s reciprocating. That’s all I need. I don’t need him to remember I’m his wife. I just need that connection—and I do feel it.”
For Bruce’s well-being, Emma made the “hardest decision” of moving him to a separate, one-story home where he receives round-the-clock care. Despite his condition, Bruce still responds warmly to his daughters, which Emma describes as a precious bond that continues to keep the family strong.
Bruce shares two young daughters, Mabel (13) and Evelyn (11), with Emma, whom he married in 2009. He is also a proud father to three older daughters, Tallulah (31), Scout (34), and Rumer (37), with his ex-wife, actress Demi Moore.
Emma admitted her deepest regret is missing the everyday conversations she once shared with Bruce. “I would love to know if he’s okay, if he feels scared or worried. I just want to talk to him like before,” she said.
The Willis family made his dementia diagnosis public in 2023, following his earlier struggle with aphasia, which forced the actor to step away from acting.