On 27/8, former model Emma Heming Willis, 47, spoke with journalist Diane Sawyer on ABC about the current life of her husband, actor Bruce Willis, 70. She shared that while the actor remains physically healthy, his cognitive abilities are declining. "He's progressively losing his ability to speak, and we've all had to learn how to adapt. We have our own ways of communicating with him," she added.

According to Emma, Bruce Willis still recognizes his wife, as his mood noticeably improves whenever she is present. The Die Hard star maintains strong relationships with his five daughters: two young children with Emma and three from his previous marriage to Demi Moore. In March, Moore posted a birthday tribute to her former husband.

"He’ll often hold our hands. And when people hug and kiss him, he responds and enjoys it. For me, that's enough. I don't need him to remember who I am, our wedding day, or anything like that. I just need to feel that connection between us is still there. And I still feel it," Emma shared.

Emma Heming and Bruce Willis captured by Demi Moore. For years, Moore has maintained a positive relationship with her ex-husband and his new family, often visiting and supporting them. Photo: Instagram Demi Moore

Emma Heming and Bruce Willis captured by Demi Moore. For years, Moore has maintained a positive relationship with her ex-husband and his new family, often visiting and supporting them. Photo: Instagram Demi Moore

In the interview, Emma Heming recounted the initial signs of her husband's illness, including personality changes. She realized something was amiss when the once warm and affectionate Bruce became distant from his family and indifferent towards others.

Emma admitted to feeling anxious and scared, unsure of what was happening. She questioned how their marriage could continue if their emotional connection faded. She also noticed the resurgence of Bruce's childhood stutter. At work, he began forgetting lines, missing cues, and appearing confused, but no one knew why.

In 3/2022, Bruce Willis retired due to aphasia, which impaired his communication, reading, and writing abilities. A year later, his family announced he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this condition affects personality and alters behavior. There is currently no known treatment or cure.

Bruce Willis carries his youngest daughter in New York City in November 2024. Video: Instagram/ Emma Heming Willis

Emma recalled her panic upon receiving the diagnosis and the doctor's grim prognosis of "no hope." She believes Bruce likely "doesn't put together what's happening." In the early months, Emma faced difficult choices for herself and her children. One was revealing Bruce's condition to their daughters, Mabel, now 13, and Evelyn, 11, so they wouldn't think their father had "stopped caring." As his caregiver, she realized noise could agitate him, leading her to stop hosting gatherings and sleepovers for her children.

"I didn't know if other parents would be comfortable having their kids over. I isolated us from other families. It was a really challenging time," she stated.

As Bruce Willis's condition progressed, Emma Heming and her family decided to move him to a second, safer, and quieter home not far from her residence. Emma also hired a team of professional caregivers to provide round-the-clock support. She maintains a routine of having breakfast and dinner with him daily.

The former model described the decision to have her husband live separately as "one of the hardest" but believed it was what Bruce would want for his children. "I think he wants his kids to live in a home that caters to their needs, not his," she explained.

Bruce Willis celebrates his birthday with his extended family in 2023. The actor stands between his eldest daughters Tallulah (left) and Scout, with Demi Moore next to Rumer (right) and Mabel. Photo: Instagram Demi Moore

Bruce Willis celebrates his birthday with his extended family in 2023. The actor stands between his eldest daughters Tallulah (left) and Scout, with Demi Moore next to Rumer (right) and Mabel. Photo: Instagram Demi Moore

Bruce Willis's wife initially felt she had to shoulder everything before realizing she could seek support. It wasn't until her stepdaughter, Scout Willis, 34, expressed more concern for her stepmother than her father that Emma recognized she needed help.

Emma recounted: "I'll never forget Scout saying that. It was like, 'Right, I'm falling apart. I need to pull myself together.'" She subsequently sought treatment for depression and found caregivers for Bruce Willis.

This experience has driven her to advocate for caregivers and support families dealing with dementia. In September, she plans to release her memoir, The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope and Yourself on the Caregiving Path, described by Amazon as a guide to help others in similar situations navigate their challenges.

Bruce Willis, born in 1955, is a German-American actor. He gained recognition in the 1980s through romantic comedies like Moonlighting and Hudson Hawk. He later transitioned to action films, starring in numerous blockbusters. His films have grossed over $8.3 billion worldwide, placing him among the top 100 highest-grossing actors of all time, according to The Numbers. He married Emma Heming in 2009.

Phuong Thao (according to ABC, People)