Emma Shares Emotional Health Update of Bruce Willis

Hollywood legend Bruce Willis continues his fight with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a condition steadily taking away his ability to communicate. His wife, Emma Heming Willis, shared an emotional update during the ABC News special “Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey.”

“Bruce is still very mobile,” Emma explained. “It’s just his brain that is failing him.”

The Willis family revealed Bruce’s diagnosis in 2023. Unlike Alzheimer’s, FTD primarily impacts behavior, language, and personality. For Willis—known for his commanding voice in films like Die Hard—the greatest challenge has been losing his language skills.

Coping with Frontotemporal Dementia
FTD affects an estimated 50,000–60,000 Americans, according to the CDC. For Bruce, the decline has been most visible in his speech and ability to connect verbally. Still, Emma says the family has found new ways to communicate: “The language is going, and we’ve learned to adapt. We have a way of communicating with him—it’s just a different way.”

Their daughters, now 11 and 13, are also learning to adjust. While words are scarce, they still treasure moments when his trademark laugh and spark of recognition break through.

Emma’s Journey from Caregiver to Advocate
In the months after Bruce’s diagnosis, Emma admitted she felt isolated, often sacrificing her own well-being while caring for him. Over time, she realized the importance of seeking help.

Now, she has embraced a new role as an advocate for caregivers. Her upcoming book, “The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path,” releases September 9 and offers guidance and support for families facing dementia.

“There was a time when I didn’t know how we were going to get through the day,” Emma said. “But I’ve learned that caregivers need support just as much as the people they care for.”

She also wants to raise awareness about FTD’s early warning signs, such as emotional withdrawal and loss of interest in once-loved activities—symptoms Bruce showed long before his diagnosis.

Holding on to Moments of Joy
Despite the devastating illness, Emma and her family focus on fleeting but meaningful moments: a smile, a smirk, or Bruce’s familiar laugh. “Not days, but we get moments,” she told Diane Sawyer.

Those moments, she says, are what sustain them. Her message is clear: while FTD remains incurable, no family should have to face it alone.