Bruce Willis is not aware that he has dementia, as revealed by his wife, Emma Heming Willis. The 70-year-old actor, known for his role in Die Hard, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023. This came just a year after the family announced that he was stepping away from acting due to aphasia. Since then, Heming Willis has shared updates about her husband’s condition and how it has impacted their lives.
The former model, who has been married to Willis since 2009 and serves as his primary caregiver, recently spoke about his health on NewsNation. She described his situation as “doing OK, with a really unkind disease.” Heming Willis also discussed her new memoir, The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path, in which she reflects on the fact that it might be a blessing that Willis doesn’t know he has FTD.
She explained that if Willis had expressed concerns about his health, it would have been distressing for both of them. “The person doesn’t realize that they are experiencing a decline in their health,” she said. “So it’s not denial; this is just a part of the disease. So, it’s a blessing and a curse. But I am grateful that Bruce never tapped into the idea that he had FTD.”
Heming Willis also addressed the misconception that Willis no longer recognizes his wife or children due to his condition. “FTD isn’t Alzheimer’s,” she clarified. “Bruce doesn’t have Alzheimer’s. So he does know who we are.” While FTD can cause changes in communication and behavior, it does not always affect memory in the same way as Alzheimer’s.
Some symptoms of FTD include slow or stiff movements, difficulty with speech, personality changes, and muscle weakness. Despite these challenges, Heming Willis emphasized that words are not necessary for their connection. “We don’t need words,” she added. “We have a very deep connection, and we have learned to sort of meet him where he’s at. And just be supportive and be able to love him.”
As the family continues to adjust to life with Willis’ condition, Heming Willis shared that her two daughters, Mabel Ray, 13, and Evelyn Penn, 11, are doing well, though they miss their father. “They miss their dad so much,” she told Vogue Australia earlier this month. “He’s missing important milestones, that’s tough for them.” While the children are resilient, Heming Willis admitted she is unsure if they will ever fully recover from the loss of their father’s presence.
Heming Willis faced criticism last month when she revealed that her husband was not living with the family. Instead, he resides in a one-story home near their house, accompanied by a full-time care team. She later defended this decision, explaining that it was necessary for both her husband and their children. “Dementia plays out differently in everyone’s home and you have to do what’s right for your family dynamic and what’s right for your person,” she told People in September. “It’s heartbreaking to me. But this is how we were able to support our whole family, [and] it has opened up Bruce’s world.”
Despite the challenges, Heming Willis remains committed to supporting her family while navigating the complexities of her husband’s condition. Her journey as a caregiver has been both difficult and transformative, and she continues to share her experiences to help others facing similar situations.