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Bruce Willis’s wife, Emma Heming Willis, opened up to Diane Sawyer on ABC’s “Good Morning America” about the heartbreaking journey she and her family have faced since the actor’s frontotemporal dementia (FTD) diagnosis. In a preview for the special “Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey,” Heming Willis described noticing “alarming” changes in her husband before the diagnosis, including a shift in his personality from warm and engaged to quiet and withdrawn. She recalled family gatherings where Willis seemed “a little removed, very cold,” a stark contrast to his typically affectionate nature.
Willis’s aphasia diagnosis, which prompted him to step away from acting in March 2022, was later followed by the FTD diagnosis. FTD, according to the National Institute on Aging, results from damage to brain neurons, leading to a range of symptoms including behavioral changes, emotional difficulties, and communication problems.
Heming Willis spoke candidly about the initial shock and lack of direction following the diagnosis. During the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement Forum in Las Vegas, she described feeling lost, isolated, and scared, emphasizing the need for emotional support alongside medical information during such a challenging time.
While Willis’s cognitive abilities are declining, including his ability to speak, Heming Willis shared that he remains in good overall health and is still mobile. The family has adapted their communication methods to connect with him, cherishing the fleeting moments when glimpses of his former self shine through, like his hearty laugh or a familiar twinkle in his eye.
Heming Willis is channeling her experience into a book, “The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path,” set for release in September. She hopes the book will serve as a resource for other caregivers navigating similar challenges, offering the support and guidance she initially lacked. She acknowledged her privileged access to experts and expressed a desire to share that knowledge with others.
Willis and Heming Willis married in 2009 and have two daughters. Willis also has three daughters from his previous marriage to Demi Moore.