DADADEL
In a heartfelt disclosure, Emma Heming Willis, Bruce Willis’ wife, recounted the initial signs of his frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The family continues to navigate life following his diagnosis, reflecting on how these early indicators have impacted their lives. Known for iconic roles in films like “Die Hard,” Bruce retired from acting in 2022 after being diagnosed with aphasia, which later progressed to FTD.
Emma observed subtle changes in Bruce’s language skills, which the family initially attributed to his childhood stutter. In an interview with Town & Country, she explained, “For Bruce, it started with language. He had a severe stutter as a child. He went to college, and there was a theatre teacher who said, ‘I’ve got something that’s going to help you.’ From that class, Bruce realized that he could memorize a script and be able to say it without stuttering. That’s what propelled him into acting.”
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Despite Bruce’s success in overcoming his stutter through acting, Emma noticed changes in his language that were hard to ignore. However, because Bruce had always managed his stutter, the family initially dismissed these signs as part of his natural speech pattern. Emma shared, “As his language started changing, it seemed like it was just a part of a stutter. It was just Bruce. Never in a million years would I think it would be a form of dementia for someone so young.”
The path to an official FTD diagnosis was challenging. According to Emma, Bruce’s condition was initially “misdiagnosed, misunderstood, or missed” on several occasions. Frontotemporal dementia, affecting parts of the brain associated with personality, language, and behavior, often presents diagnostic challenges due to symptom overlap with other neurological conditions.
Emma highlighted the emotional toll of seeking clarity, noting the strain of living without understanding the root cause of Bruce’s declining abilities. “We didn’t have answers, and that made it even harder,” she added, reflecting on the difficulty of witnessing Bruce’s struggles without a clear explanation.
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Bruce’s FTD diagnosis has profoundly affected the Willis family, including his two young daughters: Mabel, 12, and Evelyn, 10—who have witnessed their father’s health decline. While Emma remains hopeful, she acknowledges the significant changes to their daily lives and future plans. “We have plans to do and experience beautiful things with their girls,” she shared. “I have seen some cracks of light in the situation, which is what keeps us going.”
Bruce also has three adult daughters from his previous marriage to actress Demi Moore—Rumer, 36, Scout, 33, and Tallulah, 30. The entire family has united in support of Bruce, providing updates and reminders of his strength and resilience through social media and interviews. His daughter Tallulah has spoken candidly about her father’s condition, even addressing a troll on Instagram to educate people on FTD and its impact on their family.
Emma emphasizes that Bruce’s condition has taken away some of his most defining traits, particularly his language skills. She expressed gratitude for the support they’ve received and remains committed to raising awareness about FTD, hoping their story can help others facing similar challenges.
