Bruce Willis' Wife Tearfully Admits Family Only Gets ‘Moments’ Of His Personality ‘Not Days’: ‘It’s Just So Hard To See’

Amid Bruce Willis’ battle with dementia, his wife, Emma Heming Willis, is sharing that his condition has taken a great toll on his bubbly personality. 

In 2023, the “Die Hard” star was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia after a previous prognosis of aphasia, which caused him to retire. 

Following the “Expendables” star's diagnosis, his wife assumed the role of primary caregiver and now aims to support others in similar situations by sharing her experience.

In a recent emotional update, Emma revealed more about her new reality, noting that while “The Fortress” actor remains physically mobile, his communication with the family has changed significantly.

During a preview of Emma’s interview with Diane Sawyer, "Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey," which aired on Good Morning America, the model got candid about her husband’s recent state. 

She noted that the 70-year-old's personality has faded, with the family now only catching glimpses of the charisma he was once known for.

"Not days, but we get moments," the businesswoman explained. "It's his laugh, right? Like, he has such, like, a hearty laugh. And, you know, sometimes you'll see that twinkle in his eye, or that smirk, and, you know, I just get, like, transported.”

Emma broke down in tears as she added that the times when the “Wire Room” star was his old self were very brief. "And it's just hard to see, because as quickly as those moments appear, then it goes," the mom of two explained, snapping her fingers in illustration. 

The 47-year-old continued the conversation with Sawyer, recalling the noticeable changes in the “Vendetta” actor even before medical confirmation. 

She recounted that the “Armageddon” star, who was always lively, became quieter, and at family gatherings, he “would kind of just melt a little bit.”

Emma reflected on the differences in Bruce's character, saying that the “warm and affectionate” man she once knew has now become “removed and cold.” 

The activist also revealed her reaction when she first received the life-changing news of her partner’s condition, admitting she was consumed by anxiety that overshadowed everything.

As The Blast previously reported, Emma told Sawyer, “I was so panicked, and I just remember hearing it and just not hearing anything else. It was like I was free-falling.”

The author, whose memoir, “The Unexpected Journey,” is set to be released on September 9, added that she doesn’t think that the “Deadlock” actor "ever connected the dots" about what was happening to him health-wise.

Ahead of the book’s release, Emma shared details, disclosing that it documented how the “Moonlighting” star managed the early signs of his ailment alongside his acting career. 

In the publication, Heming wrote that filmmakers and directors had to make adjustments, tailoring scripts to reduce Bruce’s dialogue, per The Blast.

At one point, a close pal of Bruce was brought in to secretly read lines to him through an earpiece during productions. Because of these accommodations, Willis was able to star in “Assassin” (2023) and the “Detective Knight trilogy” (2022-2023), without audiences realizing the difficulties he was experiencing.

Earlier in April, the runway star unveiled the cover of the novel while highlighting the deeper purpose for its release.

According to The Blast, the media personality took to Instagram, sharing a sweet old photo of herself and Bruce, followed by a heartfelt message about the project. 

"Born from grief, shaped by love, and guided by purpose," Emma wrote in the caption. "This is the book I needed back when Bruce was first diagnosed, and I was frozen with fear and uncertainty."

She continued, "This is the book I trust will help the next caregiver. It is filled with support, insight, and the hope needed to navigate this journey."

The synopsis of the publication recalls the moment when Emma left the doctor’s office, having been given nothing more than a pamphlet and instructions to return in a few months. However, she now hopes to guide and advocate for other health attendants.