Bruce Willis' Wife Shares Lessons Learned From 'Devastating' Dementia Diagnosis
By Favour Adegoke on November 13, 2023 at 5:45 PM EST
Hollywood star Bruce Willis' wife, Emma Heming Willis, gave more details about the actor's struggle with dementia.
Emma explained that the diagnosis helped Willis' family and friends better understand his behavior. She first shared news of the actor's frontotemporal dementia (FTD) diagnosis earlier in the year.
Emma Hemming Gives Updates On Bruce Willis' Dementia
Emma gave an update on the health condition of the "Pulp Fiction" actor after first announcing his frontotemporal dementia in February.
She opened up about it in an op-ed for Maria Shriver's Sunday Paper on November 11. Emma recounted how scared she was to make the initial announcement about his disease. However, she could finally "breathe" when it was done.
The model revealed that months after the diagnosis, it's easier to understand her husband's behavior and connect with the FTD community.
"Bruce's FTD diagnosis was devastating, but it explained so much of what we'd been going through." Emma added, "His diagnosis enabled us to put things that once felt so confusing into a medical context."
The 48-year-old found more ways to help Willis through the illness by reading "specific information" on the topic. She also got encouraged by people in her shoes.
Emma said, "With a specific diagnosis, you have a chance to find a community. You get to connect with people who understand your story immediately. You don't even have to explain yourself."
Emma Wants To Spread Awareness Of The Disease
Emma revealed it was tough to speak up about Bruce's FTD diagnosis, but she knew she had to talk about it to make people aware of the disease.
She drew a distinction between the popularly known Alzheimer's disease and Willis' condition. Emma said, "The world needs to know that not all dementia is Alzheimer's and that not all dementia impacts memory. A disease like FTD presents instead with changes to behavior, personality, language, or movement."
Emma stated that the Willis family's aim is to bring "an end to FTD." She noted that the first treatments that could modify FTD are being tested and are actively looking for volunteers.
During her time researching the disease, Emma's eyes were opened to the reality of others in her and Willis' shoes. This incident eventually changed her view of the world.
She said, "I've become more compassionate. I find that I'm able to hold more space for what others might be going through.I'm holding gratitude as well as grief."
The model added, "There is power in becoming an advocate for this community. It's something that I want our kids to see me face out loud, working with others, fighting through the stigma and isolation that a disease like this can bring."
Emma noted that knowing so many others go through her family's experiences daily has made her stronger.
Willis' Daughter Tallulah Said His Condition Is 'The Same'
Before Emma's revelation, Willis' daughter Tallulah, whom he shares with his ex-wife Demi Moore, spoke about his illness.
She noted on an episode of the "Drew Barrymore Show" that the "Die Hard" star's condition was "the same." Tallulah then described it as a "really aggressive cognitive disease."
Despite the struggle to understand and best manage it, the 29-year-old loves her dad still. She explained that his illness didn't change how they felt about each other, and it mattered the most to her.
"I think in this regard I've learned is the best thing that you can ask for, and what I see [in him] is I see love when I'm with him and it's my dad and he loves me," Tallulah noted.
Tallulah Wants To Be An Archeologist For Willis' Things
The "Scarlet Letter" actress, who is the youngest of Willis' three kids with Moore, revealed her plans to be her father's archeologist.
Tallulah recalled going through the 68-year-old's things, some of which he gathered during his career as an actor. She explained that it was emotional for her and helped her heal from the heartbreak of Willis's condition.
Tallulah said, "Part of what's been a really beautiful way for me to heal through this is becoming an archaeologist to my dad's stuff, his world."
She added that they made her feel more connected to him, saying, "And being able to look through those photos. ... He's my age living in Hell's Kitchen and he's a total goofball, and he's an absurd person and I'm an absurd person and so there's a wonderful line of connection."
Tallulah emphasized how crucial it is to share information about FTD. She added that spreading the word about FTD is essential because there's not sufficient information available.
