Bruce Willis Relocated Due to Advanced Dementia
Emma Heming discusses the challenges faced by the actor and his family amid his ongoing health decline.
Emma Heming, the wife of actor Bruce Willis, has revealed that she made the difficult decision to relocate him to a specialized care facility due to his deteriorating health, specifically advanced dementia.
In an interview with Diane Sawyer for the special "Emma and Bruce: An Unexpected Journey," which aired on ABC, Heming described this as "one of the hardest decisions" of her life.
Bruce Willis, 70, once an emblematic figure in global cinema, has been grappling with the effects of dementia, which have increasingly affected his daily life.
Heming explained that Willis wished for their daughters to live in a home suited to their needs rather than his.
His new residence is equipped with healthcare staff available 24 hours a day to cater to his requirements.
The couple shares two daughters, Mabel (13) and Evelyn (11), who frequently visit their father at his new home, sharing meals together.
Heming noted that Willis's ex-wife, Demi Moore, and their daughters—Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah—also spend significant time with him.
On September 9, Heming will release her autobiography, "An Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on Your Healing Path," where she recounts the family’s journey since Willis's diagnosis was made public in 2022.
Heming shared that, physically, Willis remains in good health, stating, "He is physically active and healthy; it's just his brain that is failing him." Communication has changed within the family, as his language skills have diminished.
Heming noted that there are moments when he displays fleeting glimpses of his former self, stating, "He laughs wholeheartedly, and sometimes I see that spark in his eyes or that smile as if he suddenly returned.
But those moments vanish just as quickly as they come.
It’s hard."
Reflecting on the early signs of his condition, Heming recalled noticing changes when Willis, who once enjoyed taking their daughters to school, became increasingly quiet and withdrawn.
After receiving the diagnosis, she communicated the situation to their daughters swiftly, expressing, "I didn’t want them to think their dad wasn’t paying attention to them."
Heming believes that Willis still recognizes her and his family members.
"I know he does.
When we are with him, there’s a light that comes on in his face.
He holds our hands, and we hug and kiss him, and he responds with happiness.
That’s all I need," she stated.
Willis and Heming married in 2007.
In 2022, it was announced that he would retire from acting due to a diagnosis of aphasia, a condition affecting his speech and understanding.
A year later, it was revealed that he is also suffering from frontotemporal dementia, an incurable degenerative disease that affects behavior, language, and cognitive functions.
In an interview with Diane Sawyer for the special "Emma and Bruce: An Unexpected Journey," which aired on ABC, Heming described this as "one of the hardest decisions" of her life.
Bruce Willis, 70, once an emblematic figure in global cinema, has been grappling with the effects of dementia, which have increasingly affected his daily life.
Heming explained that Willis wished for their daughters to live in a home suited to their needs rather than his.
His new residence is equipped with healthcare staff available 24 hours a day to cater to his requirements.
The couple shares two daughters, Mabel (13) and Evelyn (11), who frequently visit their father at his new home, sharing meals together.
Heming noted that Willis's ex-wife, Demi Moore, and their daughters—Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah—also spend significant time with him.
On September 9, Heming will release her autobiography, "An Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on Your Healing Path," where she recounts the family’s journey since Willis's diagnosis was made public in 2022.
Heming shared that, physically, Willis remains in good health, stating, "He is physically active and healthy; it's just his brain that is failing him." Communication has changed within the family, as his language skills have diminished.
Heming noted that there are moments when he displays fleeting glimpses of his former self, stating, "He laughs wholeheartedly, and sometimes I see that spark in his eyes or that smile as if he suddenly returned.
But those moments vanish just as quickly as they come.
It’s hard."
Reflecting on the early signs of his condition, Heming recalled noticing changes when Willis, who once enjoyed taking their daughters to school, became increasingly quiet and withdrawn.
After receiving the diagnosis, she communicated the situation to their daughters swiftly, expressing, "I didn’t want them to think their dad wasn’t paying attention to them."
Heming believes that Willis still recognizes her and his family members.
"I know he does.
When we are with him, there’s a light that comes on in his face.
He holds our hands, and we hug and kiss him, and he responds with happiness.
That’s all I need," she stated.
Willis and Heming married in 2007.
In 2022, it was announced that he would retire from acting due to a diagnosis of aphasia, a condition affecting his speech and understanding.
A year later, it was revealed that he is also suffering from frontotemporal dementia, an incurable degenerative disease that affects behavior, language, and cognitive functions.
