Bruce Willis’ Wife Says Dementia Diagnosis Teaches Kids ‘Love, Patience, Resilience’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Bruce Willis’ wife, Emma Heming Willis, opened up about what her husband’s dementia diagnosis has taught her and their daughters.
In an interview with TODAY.com, Emma said, “Honestly he is the gift that keeps on giving.”
She went on to add that their daughters have learned much more “love, patience and resilience.”
“And he is teaching me,” she added. “You know, for me to be out here doing this…this is not my comfort zone but, like, this is the power of Bruce.”
Even though her husband’s diagnosis is difficult, Emma has made a conscious effort to take in the “many beautiful things happening in our lives.”
“It’s just really important to me to look up from the grief and the sadness so I can see what is happening around us,” she said. “Bruce would really want us to be in the joy of what is. He would really want that for me and our family.”
“Listen, I think my kids would be great no matter what and this is not what I would want for them,” she added. “But really, like I said, it’s teaching them so much—how to care and love—and it’s really a beautiful thing amongst the sadness.”
Movieguide® previously covered Willis’ diagnosis:
Bruce Willis’ family updated his fans on his health, sharing that his condition “has progressed” from aphasia, and the actor has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia…
“Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed, and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”
“It was a blessing and a curse to finally understand what was happening to him so I can be into the acceptance of what it is,” Emma said. “It doesn’t make it any less painful, but just being in the know of what is happening to Bruce makes it a little bit easier.”
Since her husband’s diagnosis, Emma has become an advocate for FTD. In a recent post on Instagram, she discussed the importance of awareness.
She wrote, “Welcome to World FTD Awareness Week 2023. I’m passionate about raising awareness for this disease called frontotemporal dementia that has entered into our family’s world. My hope is you will learn and take away something new and helpful from this week. I’m here to let the next family know that you are not alone and that there is understanding and hope within our strong FTD community.”