Bruce Willis' girls support 'inspirational' Emma amid dad's dementia diagnosis

25 September 2023 , 22:27

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Bruce Willis' daughter Scout expresses support for step-mum amid father's dementia diagnosis

Bruce Willis' daughter Scout LaRue Willis shared her love and admiration for her step-mother Emma Heming as she bravely shared her family's story on the Today Show to offer a heartbreaking update on actor husband.

In the vulnerable interview, Emma shared an inside look into her marriage with the Die Hard star and opened up on her and her family's difficult journey as he continues to deal with his dementia diagnosis. She described her own experience as a partner to Bruce and and expressed her "grief and the sadness" as she watched her husband's condition deteriorate. Despite the hardships Emma is facing, she continued to share her deep respect and love for Bruce and refused to call herself his caretaker.

Bruce and Emma share two young daughters together - 11-year-old Mabel and eight-year-old Evelyn. Bruce is also father to three daughters with his ex Demi Moore; Rumer, 35, 32-year-old Scout and 29-year-old Tallulah.

Following the guest appearance, Scout, took to social media to share her support for Emma's courage and vulnerability for sharing her family's story. In an Instagram repost, Scout wrote: "I TRULY could not be more proud of @emmahemingwillis for being willing to step out into the public eye, (even though it's terrifying!!!) to share our family's story in service of spreading awareness about FTD. Emma you are such a champion for this cause and you inspire me EVERY SINGLE F*****G DAY with your bravery and deep deep loving. Your courage is moving mountains #ftd #ftdawareness."

Scout Willis shares her support for step-mum Emma after vulnerable interview (Instagram)

Bruce's wife shares inside look at family's journey amid Bruce's diagnosis

It was shared last year that Bruce had been diagnosed with a form of dementia called frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). The 68-year-old's family first shared that he was suffering from language disorder aphasia but later revealed the devastating news that The Pulp Fiction star's condition had progressed to frontotemporal dementia.

Bruce Willis diagnosed with dementia as family release emotional statement

In the interview, Emma explained: "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."

Over on Instagram, Emma also shared a behind-the-scenes look into the goings-on before the talk aired, giving a shoutout to all her friends who had been supporting her on the journey. The clip showed host Hoda Kotb giving her a tight squeeze in the dressing room. In the comments section, Bruce's daughter Scout left a heartfelt message, writing: "I’m tearing up right now thinking about how much I love you and how brave you are."

In the comments section, Bruce's daughter Scout left a heartfelt message, writing: "I’m tearing up right now thinking about how much I love you and how brave you are." Tallulah also commented, simply writing: "I love you so much."

Emma Willis shares heartbreaking update on husband's ongoing dementia diagnosis

In the informative interview, Emma 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," she added: "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."

Frontotemporal dementia is a rare form of dementia that is a result of damage to neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. The word ‘frontotemporal’ refers to the two sets of lobes (frontal and temporal) in the brain that are damaged in this type of dementia. Some possible symptoms patients can experience with this form of dementia can include abnormal behaviors, emotional problems, trouble communicating, or trouble with walking.

Caroline Gaspich