Bruce Willis' wife says he might not know what's happening in dementia diagnosis

25 September 2023 , 15:43

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Emma Heming issued an update on Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis' wife Emma Heming was close to tears as she released a sad update about the Hollywood star as he continues to deal with his dementia diagnosis.

The actor, 68, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Emma, 45, heartbreakingly opened up about his current condition, admitting it's "hard to know" if Bruce is aware of what is happening. Fighting back the tears, Emma discussed how she is coping with the "grief and the sadness" of watching her husband's condition deteriorate.

Speaking to US morning TV show, Today, Emma said: "What I'm learning is that dementia is hard. It's hard on the person diagnosed. It's also hard on the family. And that is no different for Bruce or myself or our girls. And when they say that this is a family disease, it really is."

Bruce and Emma share two young daughters, Mabel, 11, and eight-year-old Evelyn, while the actor also shares three daughters with his ex Demi Moore - Rumer, 35, Scout, 32, and Tallulah, 29.

Emma Heming issued an update on Bruce Willis' health

Emma explained how she has been explaining Bruce's condition to the kids, saying they've always been an honest and open household. She continued: "And, the most important thing was to be able for us to say what the disease was, explain what it is because when you know what the disease is from a medical standpoint it sort of all makes sense.

Bruce Willis diagnosed with dementia as family release emotional statement

"So it was important that we let them know what it is because, you know, I don't want there to be any stigma or shame attached to their dad's diagnosis, or for any form of dementia."

When it came to Bruce dealing with the condition, she candidly admitted it is "hard to know" whether he knows what is going on. And opening up on her own thoughts, she explained finding out about his condition was both "the blessing and the curse".

Emma Heming opened up on Today (Emma Willis/ YouTube)

"You know, to sort of finally understand what was happening so that I can be into the acceptance of what is," she confided. "It doesn't make it any less painful, but just being in the acceptance and just being in the know of what is happening to Bruce just makes it a little bit easier."

Sweetly, Emma admitted that Bruce is "the gift that keeps giving" as she opened up on family life and the "love, patience, resilience" that the family have built following the diagnosis. Emma revealed she refuses to call herself her husband's caretaker and instead says she is his 'care partner'.

Emma has regularly updated the actor's fans and followers regarding his condition. Earlier this month she revealed the cute nickname her kids have for their dad. She took to her social media account to share a touching tribute to her husband, showing off some of the most iconic characters he has played in a photo montage from movies including Die Hard, The Fifth Element and The Sixth Sense.

Bruce Willis and his family (Instagram)

She accompanied the post with a caption that revealed the touching moniker their daughter uses to refer to her dad, writing: "As Evelyn would say, 'He's slay'."

According to the Alzheimers Society, frontotemporal dementia is a rare type of dementia that causes problems with behaviour and language. Sometimes, it is referred to as Pick's disease or frontal lobe dementia. The first noticeable FTD symptoms are changes to personality and behaviour and/or difficulties with language.

The word ‘frontotemporal’ refers to the two sets of lobes (frontal and temporal) in the brain that are damaged in this type of dementia. FTD occurs when the disease damages nerve cells in these lobes. There is no exact cause for why this happens, but there's often a genetic link.

Jamie Roberts