Emma Heming Willis ‘Could Breathe’ After Sharing Bruce Willis’ Dementia Diagnosis
By Movieguide® Contributor
Emma Heming Willis, wife of DIE HARD actor Bruce Willis, opened up about how sharing her husband’s diagnosis brought relief and support.
Movieguide® previously reported on his 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.
“Our family wanted to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love, support and wonderful stories we have all received since sharing Bruce’s original diagnosis,” Willis’ ex-wife, actress Demi Moore, wrote on Instagram. “In the spirit of that, we wanted to give you an update about our beloved husband, father and friend since we now have a deeper understanding of what he is experiencing.”
She continued, “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.”
Since the release of the statement, Heming Willis explained how sharing the news impacted her and her family.
In an article for The Sunday Paper, she said, “Yet after our family shared the news, I felt like I could breathe. Suddenly, I wasn’t alone anymore and I could seek the support Bruce, myself, and our family so desperately needed.”
Since the diagnosis, Heming Willis has begun advocating for the FTD community on social media.
“I’ve become more compassionate,” she explained. “I find that I’m able to hold more space for what others might be going through. I’m holding gratitude as well as grief.”
“There is power in becoming an advocate for this community,” she continued. “It’s something that I want our kids to see me face out loud, working with others, fighting through the stigma and isolation that a disease like this can bring.”
Heming Willis also recognizes that many who care for loved ones suffering from FTD do not have access to the resources her family does.
“When I’m able to get out for a hike to clear my head, it’s not lost on me that not all care partners can do that. When what I share about our family’s journey gets press attention, I know that there are many thousands of untold, unheard stories, each of them deserving of compassion and concern. At the same time, I see that what I share matters to others who may be struggling, and in a small way makes them feel seen and understood,” she explained.
In a recent Instagram post, she wrote, “Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) doesn’t give you many options. It can suck all the air out of a room. But I made a choice, to take some power back and pump oxygen back into our lives, for the sake of our girl’s, Bruce and me. Here are some lessons I’ve learned thus far and have shared over on @thesundaypaper. My hope is this will some bring some light, help and hope to the next family walking through the FTD journey.”
Movieguide® previously reported:
Bruce Willis’ wife, Emma Heming Willis, is sharing more details about the actor’s dementia diagnosis and how her family has found “care and love” during this time.
“What I’m learning is that dementia is hard,” Heming explained, per Fox News. “It’s hard on the person diagnosed. It’s also hard on the family. And that is no different for Bruce or myself or our girls. And when they say that this is a ‘family disease,’ it really is…”
“We’re a very honest and open household,” Heming said of how the family is handling the actor’s condition. “The most important thing was … to say what the disease was. Explain what it is because when you know what the disease is from a medical standpoint, it sort of all makes sense.”