Watch: Emma Heming Willis Reveals Family Is ‘Constantly in a State of Grief’ Amid Bruce Willis’ Dementia
Emma Heming Willis is sharing a vulnerable glimpse into her family life.
The model detailed the grief she feels as husband Bruce Willis continues his battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
“It is extremely difficult and painful,” Emma told Hello! In an interview published Sept. 7. “It’s natural, we all want our loved ones to be healthy, full of life and being the person they always were. But FTD is a devastating illness that steals things from you very slowly. So the reality is that you find yourself constantly in a state of grief.”
Though the 50-year-old—mom to their kids Mabel, 14, and Evelyn, 12—has found ways to work through mourning the life she shared with Bruce, including writing her book The Unexpected Journey to help caregivers of loved ones with dementia, she admitted she feels guilty for taking time for herself.
“The reality is that guilt is something I still struggle with daily,” she explained. “When you are a care partner and you have to navigate a situation like this, it’s practically impossible not to feel guilty. But I’ve learned that I can’t allow that feeling to consume me, because it’s a huge waste of time and energy.”
And in her family’s time of need, she’s learned to lean on her village, which also includes Bruce’s ex-wife Demi Moore as well as their daughters Rumer, 38, Scout, 35, and Tallulah, 32.
“The key lies in understanding that I am part of a family where every single one of us has decided to show up for Bruce, always looking for a way that is healthy for everyone,” Emma explained. “Each one of us has their own relationship with him that’s unique and special.”
Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
“What has been truly beautiful to see throughout this process is how we all pour our hearts into supporting him—how deeply we love him, while completely respecting the way each person chooses to express that love,” she added. “I think the balance we’ve found is simply a reflection of who Bruce is at his core; it’s the result of all the love and support he planted over the years coming right back to him now.”
The 71-year-old’s family shared he was diagnosed with FTD—an umbrella term for diseases that affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are associated with personality and behavior, per Mayo Clinic—in 2023.
Since then, the Willis family have put on a united front amid the patriarch’s condition, which Emma shared has been especially difficult to explain to their youngest daughters.
“It’s a really delicate balance to strike,” she said. “Guiding them through something like this—through any serious illness, really—is an enormous challenge. But despite how tough things get, I always try to remind myself that it could be so much worse.”
Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Film at Lincoln Center
“At the end of the day, what our daughters are experiencing and witnessing at home every single day is a masterclass in pure love,” she continued. “They see how much we support their dad, how deeply we love him and how we stand by him through thick and thin. It’s wonderful for them to see everyone rallying together: family, friends… absolutely everyone has formed a protective ring around him.”
As such, amid the difficult moments Emma sees the lessons her and Bruce’s daughters are learning from this experience.
“I think there’s something genuinely beautiful about them growing up with that sense of unity,” she added. “Yes, it’s heartbreakingly hard, but my daughters are learning the true meaning of loyalty, devotion and unconditional love.”
Keep reading for all of Bruce’s sweetest family moments…
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