Emma Heming Tears up as She Talks About Husband Bruce Willis’ Heartbreaking Dementia Battle
Beloved movie star Bruce Willis has been struggling with his health, and his wife, Emma Heming, recently gave an update on her husband’s condition. She admitted that his deteriorating health has been taking a toll on everyone in their family.
Emma revealed that it was hard to know whether Bruce was fully aware of his sickness, the severity of it, and how it was changing his body and mental state.
Recall that last February, Emma announced that the Hollywood star had been diagnosed—the many physical and medical problems that Bruce was experiencing were due to frontotemporal dementia or FTD.
A quick look at the Mayo Clinic page defines this incurable disease as “an umbrella term for a group of brain disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These brain areas are generally associated with personality, behavior, and language.”
Last Monday, when she guested on the Today Show, Emma noticeably fought back tears as she discussed coping with the sadness and grief of watching her husband battle his condition. She also shared that watching her two daughters, 11-year-old Mabel and 8-year-old Evelyn, taking care of their father was beautiful despite their sad reality.
“What I’m learning is that dementia is hard. It’s hard on the person diagnosed. It’s also hard on the family. And that is no different for Bruce or myself or our girls.”
She admitted that she now knows firsthand what they mean when they say that dementia is a family disease. Delving deeper into what’s happening in the Willis household, she was asked how she explained Bruce’s ongoing medical battle to their children.
Emma answered, “I think it’s always been… we’re a very honest and open household. And, the most important thing was to be able for us to say what the disease was and explain it because when you know what the disease is from a medical standpoint, it sort of all makes sense.”
She continued, “So it was important that we let them know what it is because, you know, I don’t want there to be any stigma or shame attached to their dad’s diagnosis or for any form of dementia.”
Emma was then asked by Hoda Kotb, the host, if Bruce was aware of what was happening to him or even the state he was in. After a long pause, likely to reflect on what’s happening to Bruce, Emma admitted that it was hard to know.
The dementia diagnosis was a huge blow to the family, especially Emma. But she also acknowledged that getting one has made things easier in some ways. At least they have a name for what they’re fighting. And finally understanding what was happening—instead of second-guessing and assuming—has led them to accept and deal with the diagnosis.
Emma said, “It doesn’t make it any less painful, but just being in the acceptance and just being in the know of what is happening to Bruce makes it a little bit easier. There are so many beautiful things happening in our lives. It is really important for me to look up from the grief and the sadness to see what is happening around us.”
