Emma Heming Willis, the wife of Hollywood star Bruce Willis, has spoken out against a false narrative that her husband has lost his joy and happiness after being diagnosed with dementia. In an emotional video posted on Instagram, she urged the public to stop scaring people with neurocognitive disorders and to respect their dignity and resilience.
Bruce Willis’ dementia diagnosis
Bruce Willis, 68, is best known for his roles in iconic movies such as Die Hard, Pulp Fiction, and The Sixth Sense. He has been married to Emma Heming Willis, 45, a former Victoria’s Secret model and actress, since 2009. They have two daughters together, Mabel, 10, and Evelyn, 8. Willis also has three daughters from his previous marriage to Demi Moore: Rumer, 34, Scout, 31, and Tallulah, 28.
In March 2022, Willis’ family announced that he would be stepping away from acting due to his diagnosis of aphasia, a brain disorder that affects language comprehension and speech. A year later, they revealed that his condition had progressed to frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a rare and incurable form of dementia that affects personality, behavior, and executive functions.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, FTD is the most common form of dementia for people under age 60. It is estimated to affect 50,000 to 60,000 Americans. There is no specific treatment or cure for FTD, but some medications and therapies may help manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life for the patients and their caregivers.
Emma Heming Willis’ video message
On Sunday, March 3, 2024, Emma Heming Willis shared a video on her Instagram account, where she has over 300,000 followers. In the video, she expressed her frustration and anger at a headline that claimed that there was “no more joy” in her husband. She said that the headline was far from the truth and that it was a “stupid” and “clickbaity” way of exploiting her husband’s condition.
She said that she and her family were moving through this challenge with strength, love, and connection. She said that there was still joy and happiness in their lives, as well as grief and sadness. She said that they had started a new chapter that was filled with beauty and soulfulness. She asked the society and the media to stop scaring people with neurocognitive disorders and to respect their dignity and resilience.
She also wrote a caption for the video, where she said that two things can be true and exist at the same time: grief and deep love, sadness and deep connection, trauma and resilience. She said that she had to get out of her own way to get to this point, but once she did, life started to come together with meaning and purpose.
She also thanked her followers for their support and kindness, and said that she hoped to raise awareness and compassion for people living with dementia and their families.
Bruce Willis’ family support
Emma Heming Willis is not the only one who has shown support and solidarity for Bruce Willis amid his dementia battle. His ex-wife Demi Moore and their three daughters have also been by his side, along with his two younger daughters with Emma. The blended family has been seen together on several occasions, celebrating holidays, birthdays, and milestones.
They have also been vocal about their love and admiration for Willis, and have shared their emotional journey with their fans on social media. In February 2023, when they announced Willis’ FTD diagnosis, they wrote a joint statement that said:
“Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and support from all of you. We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him. As Bruce always says, ‘Live it up’ and together we plan to do just that.”
The statement was signed by Emma Heming Willis, Rumer Willis, Scout Willis, Tallulah Willis, Mabel Willis, Evelyn Willis, and Demi Moore.
Bruce Willis’ legacy and impact
Despite his dementia diagnosis, Bruce Willis’ legacy and impact as an actor and a person remain intact. He has been praised and honored by his peers and fans for his remarkable career that spans over four decades and includes more than 120 films and TV shows. He has won several awards, including two Emmys, a Golden Globe, and four People’s Choice Awards. He has also been nominated for an Oscar and a BAFTA.
He has also been recognized for his humanitarian and philanthropic efforts, such as supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Red Cross, and the Boot Campaign. He has also been involved in raising awareness and funds for various causes, such as veterans, children, and the environment.
He has also inspired and influenced many people with his charisma, humor, and courage. He has been described as a loving and devoted father, husband, friend, and mentor. He has also been praised for his openness and honesty about his dementia diagnosis, and for his determination and optimism in facing his challenges.
He has also received support and encouragement from his fellow celebrities and friends, such as Samuel L. Jackson, M. Night Shyamalan, Sylvester Stallone, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. They have expressed their admiration and respect for Willis, and have wished him well in his recovery.
Emma Heming Willis has shown her love and loyalty for her husband Bruce Willis by defending him against a false narrative that he has lost his joy and happiness after being diagnosed with dementia. She has also shared her emotional and inspiring message of hope and resilience for people living with neurocognitive disorders and their families. She has also thanked her followers for their support and kindness, and has said that she hopes to raise awareness and compassion for this issue.
Bruce Willis, meanwhile, has been surrounded by the love and support of his family, friends, and fans, who have celebrated his legacy and impact as an actor and a person. He has also been praised for his courage and optimism in facing his dementia battle, and for his motto of “living it up” despite his challenges. He has also been wished a speedy and peaceful recovery by his peers and admirers.
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