Emma Heming Willis has revealed the challenging decision she faced following her husband Bruce Willis’s dementia diagnosis. At 47, she decided to relocate the 70-year-old actor to a separate residence for continuous professional care.
“It was one of the hardest decisions that I’ve had to make so far,” Emma expressed during a televised interview with ABC News, broadcast on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. She mentioned that Bruce would want what’s best for their daughters and wouldn’t want them to live in a home tailored to his medical requirements.
The family’s challenges began in March 2022 when Bruce stepped back from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia, a condition impacting speech and language. In 2023, doctors further diagnosed him with frontotemporal dementia, a disease with no known cure.
This type of dementia primarily affects the frontal and temporal brain lobes, resulting in changes in personality and language difficulties. For Willis, recognized for films like “Die Hard” and “Pulp Fiction,” the disease has impaired his communication abilities over time.
Emma shared with ABC News that although Bruce is physically active and generally healthy, his cognitive functions are declining. She noted that the language aspect is deteriorating, but the family has adjusted to new communication methods.
Prior to his illness, Bruce enjoyed taking their daughters, Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11, to school. Emma noticed an issue when these school trips became less frequent and observed her usually affectionate husband growing more distant.
Upon receiving Bruce’s dementia diagnosis, Emma felt unprepared. She left the doctor’s office with only a pamphlet and instructions to return in a few months.
Initially, Emma tried to manage Bruce’s care at home while maintaining normalcy for their children. However, she restricted social activities, realizing that noise aggravated Bruce’s condition.
Emma began declining playdates and sleepovers for their daughters, unsure if other parents would feel comfortable leaving their children at their home. She admitted to intentionally isolating their family during this period.
The turning point came when Emma recognized the arrangement was unfair for their children. She then decided to move Bruce to a single-story house where he could receive 24-hour care from professionals.
Despite living separately, the family maintains close ties. Emma visits Bruce daily, sharing breakfast and dinner with him. She describes his residence as filled with love, care, and laughter.
Their daughters visit frequently, and Bruce also receives visits from his three older daughters from his previous marriage to Demi Moore: Rumer, 37, Scout, 34, and Tallulah, 31.
Emma mentioned that Bruce still recognizes her and brightens when she enters the room. This connection extends to his five daughters, who regularly visit him, expressing affection that he acknowledges.
Emma has transformed her experience into support for other families in similar situations. She authored “The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path,” set for release in September.
The book stemmed from Emma’s frustration with the limited guidance she received after Bruce’s diagnosis. She aims to ensure other caregivers feel less isolated and more prepared.
Emma also co-founded Make Time Wellness, focusing on women’s brain health, and advocates for families facing dementia. She highlights that caring for someone with frontotemporal dementia can cost nearly $120,000 annually.
Emma’s advocacy stresses the shared emotions of sadness, grief, anger, and resentment among caregivers, fostering a sense of community among those confronting similar challenges.
The Willis family’s situation mirrors the experiences of millions of American families dealing with dementia. Nearly seven million older adults in the U.S. have Alzheimer’s, the most prevalent dementia type, while frontotemporal dementia, like Bruce’s, commonly affects those under 60.
Medical experts predict the global dementia population could triple by 2050, underscoring the importance of Emma’s advocacy and upcoming book for future families.
Bruce Willis concluded his Hollywood career in 2022 as his condition worsened. Known for starring in films such as “Die Hard,” “Moonlighting,” “The Sixth Sense,” and “Pulp Fiction,” he became one of the most prominent action stars of his era.
