Bruce Willis’ household first revealed he was battling ‘well being points’ in 2022, earlier than later asserting that he had been recognized with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
Since then, his family members – together with ex-wife Demi Moore and their three daughters – have shared updates on his situation, while additionally advocating for extra consciousness of the neurodegenerative situation.
His spouse, Emma Heming Willis, additionally shared in 2024 that she is writing a guide about their household’s expertise with Bruce’s illness. The guide is scheduled to be launched on September 9, 2025.
Most lately, Emma gave an emotional sit-down interview with Diane Sawyer, during which she spoke concerning the difficulties of the 70-year-old’s analysis, and the way it’s affected their lives.
She shared that she has moved her husband right into a care residence the place he can obtain ‘across the clock care.’
‘Bruce is in actually nice well being total, you understand. It’s simply his mind that’s failing him,’ she stated.
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‘The language goes, and, you understand, we’ve realized to adapt. And we now have a means of speaking with him, which is only a totally different, a special means.’
The household first introduced the specifics of his situation in an Instagram publish shared by his daughter, Rumer Willis, in 2023: ‘Our household wished to start out by expressing our deepest gratitude for the unbelievable outpouring of affection, assist and great tales we now have all acquired since sharing Bruce’s authentic analysis.
‘Within the spirit of that, we wished to present you an replace about our beloved husband, father and pal since we now have a deeper understanding of what he’s experiencing.
‘Since we introduced Bruce’s analysis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s situation has progressed and we now have a extra particular analysis: frontotemporal dementia (often called FTD).
‘Sadly, challenges with communication are only one symptom of the illness Bruce faces. Whereas that is painful, it’s a aid to lastly have a transparent analysis.’
Since this preliminary announcement, Bruce’s household has shared common updates concerning the actor, usually thanking followers for his or her assist.
Emma and Bruce have been married since 2009 and share daughters Mabel Ray Willis, 13, and Evelyn Penn Willis, 11.
What’s frontotemportal dementia?
Frontotemporal dementia, aka FTD, is a much less widespread type of dementia often recognized in individuals aged 45-65, whereas dementia principally impacts individuals over 65.
The degenerative illness primarily impacts communication and behavior, versus reminiscence, like different sorts of dementia.
In line with the NHS, indicators of frontotemporal dementia can embody:
- Character and behavior adjustments – performing inappropriately or impulsively, showing egocentric or unsympathetic, neglecting private hygiene, overeating, or lack of motivation
- language issues – talking slowly, struggling to make the best sounds when saying a phrase, getting phrases within the incorrect order, or utilizing phrases incorrectly
- issues with psychological skills – getting distracted simply, battling planning and organisation
- reminiscence issues – these solely are likely to happen in a while, in contrast to extra widespread types of dementia, comparable to Alzheimer’s illness
There can also be bodily issues, comparable to gradual or stiff actions, lack of bladder or bowel management (often not till in a while), muscle weak spot or problem swallowing.
Bruce additionally shares three daughters together with his ex-wife Demi Moore, with whom he was married from 1987 to 2000: daughters Rumer Glenn Willis, 36, Scout LaRue Willis, 34, and Tallulah Belle Willis, 31.
Not too long ago, stories have been circulating that Bruce is now not capable of stroll or discuss, although the household has not verified these claims, and it stays unclear if there’s any fact to them.
Right here’s what we all know thus far concerning the star’s situation.
Bruce Willis’ dementia analysis timeline
march 2022bRUCE’S FAMILY ANNOUNCE his retirement
Bruce Willis’s household revealed he could be ‘stepping away’ from his performing profession because of well being points.
The Willis household shared that the actor had lately been recognized with aphasia and stated it had been a ‘actually difficult time’ for them.
February 2023star recognized with frontotemporal dementia
The change within the actor’s situation was introduced by his household through a social media publish that learn: ‘Since we introduced Bruce’s analysis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s situation has progressed and we now have a extra particular analysis: frontotemporal dementia (often called FTD).
‘Sadly, challenges with communication are only one symptom of the illness Bruce faces. Whereas that is painful, it’s a aid to lastly have a transparent analysis.’
march 2023bRUCE CELEBRATES 68TH BIRTHDAY
The actor rang in one other 12 months surrounded by his household a month after his analysis announcement.
In a video posted by his former spouse, Demi, the Hollywood star may very well be seen singing completely satisfied birthday alongside his youngsters and his spouse Emma Heming, earlier than blowing out the candles on an apple pie.
september 2023star’s spouse opens up about worsening situation
Bruce’s spouse Emma stated that it was ‘arduous to know’ if the actor was absolutely conscious of his situation.
Giving an replace on her husband’s well being to NBC’s As we speak programme, she defined: ‘I believe it was the blessing and the curse, to kind of lastly perceive what was occurring, in order that I could be into the acceptance of what’s.’
Requested if her husband is aware of what’s going on and if his situation is one thing he’s conscious of, she stated: ‘Laborious to know, it’s arduous to know.’
october 2024Emma reveals first indicators of situation
In an interview with City & Nation, Bruce’s spouse, Emma Heming Willis, revealed that Bruce’s signs first started as language adjustments, which initially didn’t trigger alarm as he had a childhood stutter.
‘As his language began altering, it (appeared prefer it) was simply part of a stutter, it was simply Bruce. By no means in one million years would I believe it could be a type of dementia for somebody so younger,’ she stated.
December 2024Ex-wife demi moore shares replace
Showing on CNN, Demi Moore, who was married to Bruce from 1987 till they separated in 1998, shared an replace on his well being.
‘He’s in a really steady place for the time being,’ she stated. ‘I’ve shared this earlier than, however I actually imply this so sincerely — it’s so necessary for anyone who’s coping with this to essentially meet them the place they’re at.’
In a separate interview across the similar time, Tallulah Willis, his youngest daughter with Moore, instructed the As we speak present: ‘He’s doing steady, which, on this state of affairs is sweet and is tough. There’s painful days, however there’s a lot love.’
march 2025bruce and his family members collect for his seventieth birthday
The actor celebrated his seventieth birthday in March 2025 together with his daughters, granddaughter, ex-wife Demi Moore, and spouse Emma Heming Willis by his facet.
Moore shared a sequence of pictures of the actor on the gathering. Willis could be seen hugging and kissing his household, evidently nonetheless conscious of who they’re to him and able to interacting with them.
June 15 2025bruce’s daughter, Rumer, shares a father’s day replace
Rumer shared an emotional message to Bruce on father’s day this 12 months, implying he can now not talk successfully together with his household.
‘As we speak is tough, I really feel a deep ache in my chest to speak to you and let you know all the things I’m doing and what’s happening in my life,’ Rumer wrote in a June 15 publish alongside pictures of her dad. ‘To hug you and ask you about life and your tales and struggles and successes.’
Rumer continued: ‘I do know you wouldn’t need me to be unhappy at this time so I’ll attempt to simply be grateful reminding myself how fortunate I’m that you just’re my dad.’
june 23 2025Tallulah Willis faces backlash for sharing pictures of her dad
Bruce’s daughter Tallulah Willis spoke out after some social media customers responded negatively to the 31-year-old sharing a photograph of her dad.
‘As a household we use our discretion when posting,’ she wrote again to a fan who shared criticism below the June 23 publish. ‘As we speak was an excellent day full of smiles. I made the judgement name to indicate that to the world, as a result of I do know what he means to everybody.’
july 2025Shops report unverified claims Bruce can now not communicate or stroll
Rumours started to flow into on-line this month that Willis’ situation has progressed to the purpose he can now not communicate or stroll. This data has by no means been instantly verified by his household or every other official supply.
August 2025Bruce Willis’ spouse reveals the actor is in a house the place he can obtain ‘across the clock care’
Bruce’s spouse Emma, 47, gave an emotional sit-down interview with Diane Sawyer that premiered on August 27.
She stated: ‘Bruce is in actually nice well being total, you understand. It’s simply his mind that’s failing him,’ she stated.
‘The language goes, and, you understand, we’ve realized to adapt. And we now have a means of speaking with him, which is only a totally different, a special means.’
Regardless of the analysis, Emma believes her husband does nonetheless recognise her as he ‘lights up’ when he sees her and his family members.
‘He’s holding our palms. We’re kissing him. We’re hugging him. He’s reciprocating. You recognize, he’s into it,’ she stated.
‘And in order that’s all I would like, you understand?. I don’t want him to know that I’m his spouse, and we have been married on this present day, and that is what it — I don’t want any of that. I simply wanna really feel that I’ve a reference to him. And I do.’
Whereas the specifics of the way in which Bruce’s situation has progressed stay unknown, it’s clear that he has loads of assist from each his household and his legion of devoted followers.
A model of this text was first revealed on September 26, 2023.
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