19 March 2023 , 20:33
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Bruce Willis’ wife Emma Heming has shared a poignant video to celebrate her husband’s 68th birthday following his heartbreaking frontotemporal dementia diagnosis.
Fighting to hold back tears, the 44-year-old admitted to her 680,000 Instagram followers that she felt it was important for people to see all sides of living with the condition.
To mark The Sixth Sense star’s special day, Emma posted an emotional message describing how she felt to watch old videos of her partner, calling it 'a knife in my heart.'
Fighting back tears she spoke to the camera: “So today is my husband's birthday. I have started the morning by crying. As you can see by my swollen eyes and snotty nose, I just think it's important you see all sides of this.
“I always get this message or people always tell me like, ‘Oh you're so strong, I don't know how you do it.’ I'm not given a choice. I wish I was. But I'm also raising two kids in this.
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Bruce Willis' health diagnosis was shared with the public earlier this year (AFP via Getty Images)
The star's wife Emma Heming had to fight back the tears as she shared a new update today (Instagram/emmahemingwillis)“So sometimes in our lives we have to put our big girl panties on and get to it. And that's what I'm doing.
“But I do have times of sadness every day. Grief everyday. And I'm really feeling it today on his birthday.”
Bruce, who made his name playing action hero John McClane before appearing in cult films including Pulp Fiction, The Sixth Sense and Armageddon, had been on a break from acting since March 2022, when his family announced he was struggling.
Sharing a second clip on her social media, Emma went on: “So I worked on this reel that I'm posting for my husband's birthday.
“I don't know why I do that because the videos are like a knife in my heart.
Emma explained why she shares updates as she marked her husband's 68th birthday (Instagram/emmahemingwillis)
Bruce's ex-wife has also been hugely supportive of the star amid his health battle (Getty Images For Comedy Central)“But as much as I do it for myself I do it for you. Because I know how much you love my husband and - don't cry Emma - but it means so much to me so thank you.”
In February this year the Die Hard actor’s wife Emma, daughters Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Evelyn and Mabel, and ex-wife Demi Moore, gave an update to fans on his health.
They revealed that they had more information on Bruce's previous aphasia diagnosis, which was given earlier last year, revealing he has now been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.
The statement read: "We wanted to give you an update about our beloved husband, father and friend since we now have a deeper understanding of what he is experiencing.
Bruce with his ex-wife and their children in 2019 (Getty Images for goop)"Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD).
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"Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis."
The family's statement continued on The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration's website, explaining that "FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone".