Bruce Willis’ wife, Emma Heming Willis, recently provided an update on the iconic actor’s battle with frontotemporal dementia during an interview with “Today” show co-anchor Hoda Kotb. Emma Heming Willis discussed the challenges they are facing as a family while shedding light on the disease, coinciding with World Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness Week.
Bruce Willis Health Update
Emma Heming Willis, 45, opened up about the mixed emotions of finally understanding the diagnosis. She described it as both a blessing and a curse, as it allowed them to comprehend what was happening to Bruce Willis, 68, but did not diminish the emotional pain associated with the situation.
Frontotemporal dementia is a debilitating condition with no known cure, and its causes remain mysterious, with genetics playing a role in only a portion of cases.
The journey to diagnosis was arduous, as the disease can often present with symptoms resembling other mental health conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s Disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
It may take up to four years to receive a proper diagnosis due to the subtle yet significant changes it brings to a person’s behavior and cognition.
Bruce Willis, initially diagnosed with aphasia in 2022, experienced a progression of the condition to frontotemporal dementia by February 2023. Aphasia significantly affects communication, particularly speech, making it challenging for individuals to express themselves effectively.
Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration CEO Susan Dickinson emphasized the complexity of the disease, noting that it can affect a person’s ability to form coherent sentences, comprehend words, and perform tasks at work, leading to poor decisions and incomplete assignments.
Emma Heming Willis and Bruce Willis share two daughters, Mabel Ray and Evelyn Penn, aged 11 and 9, respectively. Bruce Willis also has three adult daughters from his previous marriage to Demi Moore – Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah Willis.
In their household, Emma Heming Willis encourages open and honest discussions about Bruce’s diagnosis, striving to eliminate any stigma or shame associated with dementia.
Despite the challenges they face, Heming Willis expressed gratitude for the valuable lessons her husband continues to teach them, such as love, patience, and resilience. She emphasized the positive impact on their children, who are learning important life lessons through their experiences with their father’s condition.
Bruce Willis, known for his roles in over 100 films, including “Die Hard,” “Armageddon,” and “The Sixth Sense,” has retired from his acting career due to his battle with frontotemporal dementia.
While the journey is undoubtedly difficult, the Willis family is determined to face this challenge together, spreading awareness about the disease in the process.
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