Bruce Willis’ Wife Says He “Doesn’t Know” About Dementia Diagnosis

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Emma Heming Willis is revealing more about the difficult challenges she and Bruce Willis face as he battles dementia.

The author of The Unexpected Journey, and wife of the Die Hard actor, revealed that her husband still struggles to understand the specifics of his frontotemporal dementia (FTD) diagnosis, even though he received it almost four years ago. She shares two daughters with him, Mabel, age 13, and Evelyn, age 11.

Emma explained on the January 28th episode of the Conversations with Cam podcast that a neurological condition called ‘anosognosia’ often occurs with frontotemporal dementia and other forms of dementia. This condition prevents the brain from recognizing that anything is wrong, leading people to believe their changes are simply how things should be.

As a long-time follower of FTD research, I was really struck by something Emma pointed out. It’s easy to assume someone with FTD is just ‘denying’ help, but she explained it’s actually a core symptom of the disease. She put it perfectly: it’s not that they don’t want to see a doctor, they genuinely don’t realize they need to, because of something called anosognosia – a lack of awareness of their condition. It’s not stubbornness, it’s the disease itself making them feel like everything is okay when it isn’t.

For the 47-year-old, Bruce’s obliviousness is a “blessing and a curse.”

She explained that Bruce was unaware he was sick, and she was actually relieved about it. She said, ‘He never figured it out, and I’m glad he didn’t.’

Bruce Willis, 70, has been privately battling a health condition since 2022, though he doesn’t know it himself. His wife, Emma, and his daughters – Rumer, 37, Scout, 34, and Tallulah, 31, from his previous marriage to Demi Moore – have been coping with the situation for the past two years. Emma shared that she felt incredibly isolated and without support when doctors first told her about his illness.

She remembered feeling completely heartbroken after the appointment, especially because she didn’t know how she would manage everything while also raising their two young daughters.

Despite her family’s challenges, Emma has become a strong voice for people who care for loved ones with serious illnesses.

She shared with People magazine in September that helping others cope with similar struggles was the key to her own healing. She explained that talking openly about her experience and increasing awareness could encourage people to seek medical attention and earlier diagnoses, and potentially participate in clinical trials.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to talk about things others might not understand. That’s why Bruce sharing his rare condition felt so powerful to me. It’s something most people simply aren’t aware of, and bringing it into the conversation is a huge step towards greater understanding and support.

As many of you know, Bruce Willis has been facing some really challenging health issues, and his family has been incredibly open about it. It’s so heartwarming to see how much support he has, and I wanted to share a closer look at the amazing people who are rallying around him during this time.

Bruce Willis and Demi Moore first met in August 1987 at the premiere of the comedy film Stakeout. Interestingly, neither of them starred in the movie, but Demi was there to support her former fiancé, Emilio Estevez, who did.

Bruce had recently gone through a breakup, and Demi, previously married to Freddy Moore between 1981 and 1985, was open to meeting someone new.

In her 2019 memoir, Inside Out, Demi Moore, known as the Ghost star, wrote that they immediately opened up to each other, discussing their strong desire to start a family and have children together.

They fell in love quickly and, just months after meeting, spontaneously eloped in Las Vegas while attending a boxing match. They got married at the Golden Nugget hotel on November 21, 1987, and followed it up with a larger wedding celebration a month later, where Little Richard officiated the ceremony.

Although Demi later revealed in her memoir how unstable their marriage often was – including a moment in 1990 when Bruce questioned if he even wanted to be married – they publicly appeared to be a perfect Hollywood couple until they announced their separation in 1998.

But they remained a family unit. 

In 2000, Bruce told Rolling Stone that he still cared deeply for Demi and they remained very close. He emphasized their shared commitment to raising their three children together, stating they were as close as ever and would continue to prioritize their children’s well-being. He also noted their ongoing friendship.

Demi has said she and Bruce started trying to have a child even before their whirlwind wedding.

It’s possible they succeeded, as their daughter, Rumer Glenn Willis, was born on August 16, 1988, in Paducah, Kentucky. Her father was filming the movie In Country there at the time.

For several years after Rumer was born, her parents often showed home movies of her birth when they had guests over – it was the highlight of their gatherings.

Demi recalled in a 1991 interview with Vanity Fair that Bruce stayed with her for all 15 hours of labor, only leaving briefly once to use the restroom.

Rumer Willis remembers being nine years old when her parents separated, and she’s still amazed by how well they continued to co-parent. She told People magazine in October 2024 that they always made sure family traditions, like vacations, Christmas, and birthdays, continued uninterrupted.

You know, one thing I always admire about successful co-parents is their dedication to family unity. I remember hearing someone share with Larry King back in 2015 how they prioritized being together for all the important family moments. It wasn’t about two separate households doing their own thing – it was about maintaining that sense of ‘us’ as one family unit, and they really felt that made all the difference.

Rumer had a daughter, Louetta Isley Thomas Willis, with musician Derek Richard Thomas on April 18, 2022.

The actress from My Divorce Party revealed that she named her baby after three of her father’s favorite musicians: Louis Armstrong, Etta James, and the Isley Brothers.

“She’s simply a delight,” said Demi, a proud grandmother, in an interview with TopMob News in January 2024. “It’s everything everyone says about having a grandchild – all the happiness and fun, and the added bonus of being able to get a good night’s sleep!”

Rumer and Derek ended their relationship in August 2024, but Rumer publicly thanked her parents for demonstrating a great example of successful co-parenting.

Rumer Willis shared in October 2024 that she and Derek Richard Thomas remain close friends, despite their changing relationship. They’ve successfully created a loving and supportive co-parenting dynamic for their daughter, Lou, and both are very pleased with this arrangement.

Scout LaRue Willis was born on July 20, 1991, in Sun Valley, Idaho. Her parents chose to raise her and her siblings outside of Hollywood during their childhood years.

Not that they didn’t do glitz and glam.

Demi Moore made headlines when she appeared nude and pregnant on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine in August 1991. The photo, taken while she was expecting her second daughter, became incredibly iconic and has been copied many times since.

“Pregnancy agrees with me,” she told the magazine. “I feel comfortable.”

I’ve been following Scout for a while now, and while a lot of people know her parents are in the film industry – she even popped up in a few of their movies when she was younger – her real passion is definitely music. She’s incredibly talented and a Brown University graduate, and she finally released her first album, simply titled ‘Scout’, in 2022. I was so excited to hear it!

She’s a big fan of movies, and even before Demi Moore received a Golden Globe for The Substance, Scout praised her mother’s work in the darkly comedic and unsettling film.

Scout shared with Us Weekly in November 2024 that she was incredibly impressed by this woman, seeing her as a role model. She admired not only her beauty and talent but also her bravery in being completely herself. Scout felt that sharing this authenticity was a gift, and that it positively impacted many people.

Tallulah Belle Willis was born Feb. 3, 1994, in Hailey, Idaho.

Bruce once shared with Rolling Stone in 2000 that people had speculated about why he was facing challenges, suggesting it was some kind of payback. He admitted some found it funny that the tough action star was a devoted father to daughters. But he quickly added, ‘I’d happily have three more daughters tomorrow. They’re amazing.’

When Tallulah was in third grade, her family, the Willis-Moores, moved from Idaho to Los Angeles. This gave her a more Hollywood childhood than her sisters, but it wasn’t a positive experience.

The founder of the clothing brand Wyllis has openly shared her struggles with addiction, beginning with getting sober at age 20. She also received treatment for depression at 25 and later dealt with anorexia. In a 2023 essay for Vogue, she explained that while medication for her ADHD was beneficial, it also reduced her appetite, which worsened her concerns about her weight.

It was heartbreaking watching my dad’s health start to fade, and we finally shared publicly in March 2022 that he was dealing with aphasia. During that difficult time, while supporting him through treatment, I also went through my own journey and received a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. It was a lot for all of us, but we were trying to navigate it together.

She wrote in Vogue that recovery will likely be a continuous process, but she’s learned how to fully engage with all parts of her life, particularly her relationship with her father.

Tallulah shared the happy news of her engagement to musician Justin Acee on Christmas Eve. He proposed at her future mother-in-law’s house in Idaho, and a family member was there to film the proposal.

After his divorce from Demi Moore, Bruce Willis didn’t expect to fall in love again. But in 2007, he met Emma Heming, a model born in Malta, at their shared gym.

In a 2009 interview with W magazine, Bruce Willis admitted he was unhappy for much of the past decade while being single. He described feeling down and never believing a relationship would fix things. He used to tell himself he wasn’t lonely despite being alone, but now realizes he wasn’t being honest with himself.

He said his life improved significantly after he began dating Emma, who is 23 years younger than him, and seeing her regularly.

Bruce Willis and Emma Heming married on March 21, 2009, in a beach ceremony at their home in Turks and Caicos. Demi Moore, who was then married to Ashton Kutcher, and their daughters Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah, were also there. Bruce and Demi later divorced in 2011 after six years of marriage.

On December 29, 2024, Emma will celebrate 17 years of marriage. She recently shared that despite the challenges of her husband’s health, their relationship is powered by unwavering love.

She expressed her gratitude, saying she was thankful for what she had and credited him with making it possible. She added that she would gladly repeat the experience without hesitation.

Following Bruce’s diagnoses of aphasia and, later, dementia, Emma started Make Time Wellness, a company creating supplements for brain and prenatal health. She also began hosting the Make Time Podcast.

In 2023, Emma explained to TopMob News that speaking up is crucial. She believes that by taking action, raising awareness, and having open conversations, we can create positive change.

Emma and Bruce had a daughter, Mabel Ray Willis, on April 1st, 2012, in Los Angeles. Later, the family moved to Bedford Hills, New York.

In 2017, Emma explained to Elle Decor that one of the best things about their home is its convenient location near the city, offering a balance between urban access and peaceful living.

Despite living far apart, Scout, Tallulah, and Demi remained close friends with Mabel and were all together to celebrate her sixth-grade graduation in June 2024.

“We love her!!!” Tallulah commented on Instagram. “7th grade here we go!”

When Evelyn Penn Willis was born on May 5, 2014, Bruce shared his happiness at becoming a father to five daughters.

He told People magazine that they hadn’t found out the baby’s sex until after the birth. He also shared his belief that women should lead, stating, ‘Women are simply more intelligent than men.’

From what Emma shared with Elle Decor, Bruce was truly amazing when it came to family. He was so generous with his time, always making sure he was present for their daughters and just rolled with whatever life threw at them. It was wonderful to see how he prioritized being a dad!

She explained that he’s been a parent for so long and is accustomed to prioritizing his children’s needs over his own, which makes him very giving with his time.

Emma described her family as traditional, emphasizing that they prioritize family above all else. They focus on teaching their children good manners, grace, and the value of education. However, they also encourage self-expression, allowing their kids to explore their interests and personalities responsibly. Importantly, they work hard to avoid raising spoiled children, striving to find a healthy balance in their parenting approach.

Emma has been honest with Mabel and Evelyn about their father’s health, but she’s also making an effort to create positive experiences for them. She’s been sharing videos from their recent trip to Paris and decorating for Christmas at home to bring some joy to their lives.

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2026-01-28 17:25