Emma Heming Willis, wife of retired Hollywood icon Bruce Willis, has spoken publicly for the first time about the emotional toll of his battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), revealing that the condition has severely affected his language and communication.
The Die Hard and Sixth Sense star, now 70, was diagnosed with FTD more than three years ago.
Speaking to ABC News via Good Morning America, Heming Willis shared that while Bruce remains physically strong, his cognitive decline has been deeply challenging.
“Bruce is still very mobile. Bruce is in really great health overall,” she said. “It’s just his brain that is failing him. The language is going, and we’ve learned to adapt. We have a way of communicating with him — it’s just different.”
Heming Willis, who is preparing to release her book Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path, reflected on her personal struggles as a caregiver. She admitted that, at first, she felt she had to manage everything alone, which led to sleepless nights and social withdrawal. Her book aims to serve as a guide for others facing similar challenges.
Despite the heartbreaking progression of the illness, the Willis family — including Emma and Bruce’s two young daughters, as well as his three adult daughters with ex-wife Demi Moore — continue to find joy in fleeting yet meaningful moments.
“It’s his laugh. He has such a hearty laugh. And sometimes you’ll see that twinkle in his eye, or that smirk, and I just get transported,” Heming Willis shared. “As quickly as those moments appear, they go. But I’m grateful my husband is still very much here.”
According to the NHS, frontotemporal dementia is a less common type of dementia that primarily affects behavior and language. Alzheimer’s Research UK estimates that more than 30,000 people in the UK live with the condition.
Samantha Benham-Hermetz, executive director of the charity, praised Heming Willis’s decision to speak publicly, calling it “a powerful act of courage.”
“Her openness will mean so much to the many families who are facing similar challenges, reminding them they are not alone,” Benham-Hermetz said. “Personal stories like Emma and Bruce’s raise awareness, foster understanding, and highlight the urgent need for research.”
