Bruce Willis Health Update: At the preview of ABC's special, Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey, Bruce Willis' wife Emma opened up about her husband's battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), saying his “brain is failing him” and his “language is going.” Despite the heartbreaking progression of the disease, she says their family has found new ways of communicating and cherishes the rare moments when his true personality shines through.The 70-year-old “Die Hard” and “Sixth Sense” star was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) more than three years ago. In 2023, his family revealed the condition, which affects behavior and language, to the public.Bruce Willis' Brain Is Failing HimHeming Willis described how the disease has reshaped their lives. “Bruce is still very mobile. Bruce is in really great health overall,” she said. “It’s just his brain that is failing him.”Also Read: What Is Frontotemporal Dementia That Psychologists Claim Donald Trump Is Exhibiting Signs Of? When asked if Willis still recognizes her, Heming Willis said she believes a connection is still there. “I feel he does. When we are with him, he lights up. He’s holding our hands, we’re kissing him, we’re hugging him. He is reciprocating. And that’s all I need. I don’t need him to know that I am his wife, or when we got married. I just want to feel that connection with him, and I do.”Finding new ways to communicateFTD is a lesser-known type of dementia that causes difficulties with language and behavior. According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, more than 30,000 people in the country live with the condition, though the actual number may be higher.For Willis’ family, adapting has been key. “The language is going, and we’ve learned to adapt,” Heming Willis explained. “We have a way of communicating with him, which is just a different way.”Despite the challenges, she said her husband still shows glimpses of his old self. “Not days, but we get moments,” she shared. “It’s his laugh, right? He has such a hearty laugh. And sometimes you’ll see that twinkle in his eye, or that smirk, and I just get transported. As quickly as those moments appear, they go. It’s hard, but I’m grateful my husband is still very much here.”Also Read: Bruce Willis Health Update: A Diagnostic Timeline From Aphasia To DementiaThe struggles of caregivingHeming Willis admitted that, in the beginning, she believed she had to manage the caregiving alone. That decision led to sleepless nights, social withdrawal, and eventually her own struggle with depression.Looking back, she said she waited too long to seek help. It was only when one of Willis’ daughters, Scout, expressed worry about her rather than her father, that she realized she needed support. Professional caregivers were eventually brought in, and the family relocated to a quieter, safer home better suited to Willis’ needs.“It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” Heming Willis said, “but I knew Bruce would want our daughters to be in a home that was more tailored to their needs, not his.”Advocating for other familiesThe model and entrepreneur has turned her personal experience into advocacy for other caregivers. She has written a book, Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path, which she hopes will serve as a guide for families facing similar circumstances.Her openness has been praised by dementia organizations. Samantha Benham-Hermetz, executive director of Alzheimer’s Research UK, called her decision to speak out “a powerful act of courage” and said her words “will resonate with so many people affected by dementia.”“Personal stories like Emma and Bruce’s are vital,” Benham-Hermetz added. “They raise awareness, foster understanding, and highlight the urgent need for research.”Raising awareness about FTDFTD is one of the most common types of dementia among people under 60. It often starts subtly, appearing as forgetfulness, missing lines at work, or withdrawing from activities. Heming Willis recalled noticing such changes in her husband years before his diagnosis, describing them as “whispers” of what was to come.She hopes speaking out will bring more visibility to the disease and encourage families to seek help early. “That is the whole motivation for me to raise awareness, because we want families to be able to be diagnosed earlier, when they can participate in clinical trials,” she said.Holding on to connectionThrough it all, Heming Willis says she tries to stay grounded in the present. Asked what she would most like to share with her husband if she could have a full conversation again, she answered simply: “Just how he’s doing. If he’s okay. If he feels okay. If there’s anything we could do to support him better. I would really love to know that.”
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