Bruce Willis’ wife, Emma Heming Willis, sat down for an emotional interview about the actor’s struggle with dementia — revealing she sought treatment for depression after his diagnosis.
The author, 47, spoke with Diane Sawyer during the ABC special Emma and Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey, which aired on Tuesday, August 26. Emma said she was “losing it” after the diagnosis and felt “so alone” and “so isolated.”
Emma shared she turned to experts for help while navigating her husband’s condition and her own mental health struggles, and brought in caregivers to help tend to Bruce around the clock.
Now, she’s focused on shining more light on the disease and treatment, finding a community of people who share a “common thread” with her.
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“That is this whole motivation for me to raise awareness about this disease, because we want families, we want people to be able to be diagnosed earlier, when they can participate in these trials,” she said, hoping that people remember the “rare disease Bruce Willis has” and feel less alone in their quest for answers.
Emma revealed she came up with a list of tips for friends and family of the small, practical things that can help a caregiver get through the day.
“We are very fortunate enough that we can afford care and many families are not able to. Formal caregiving is astronomical, yet they deserve every penny,” she said.
In March 2022, Bruce’s family — including Emma, his daughters, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn, and ex-wife Demi Moore — announced his aphasia diagnosis along with his retirement from acting.
“To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities,” the family said in a statement at the time. “As a result of this and with much consideration, Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.”
The family acknowledged the “really challenging time” but emphasized they were “appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support.”
The statement concluded: “We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him. As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up,’ and together we plan to do just that.”
Nearly one year later, the family shared an update on Bruce’s condition.
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“Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD),” they wrote in a February 2023 statement via the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. “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.”
As Bruce battled frontotemporal dementia, the family hoped “that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research,” adding that Bruce “always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately.”
They continued: “We know in our hearts that — if he could today — he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.”
Emma was asked if she could have a conversation with Bruce, what she would ask him.
“Just how he’s doing, [if] he’s OK, he feels OK. If there’s anything that we could do to support him better. I would really love to know that. If he’s scared. If he’s ever worried,” she said. “You know, I just would love to be able to, just to have a conversation with him.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
