Bruce Willis is now living under full-time care in a second home close to his wife and young children, following his diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
The 70-year-old actor’s wife, Emma Heming Willis, has opened up about the family’s journey in her new book The Unexpected Journey, set for release on September 9. In an emotional sit-down with Diane Sawyer for an ABC News special of the same name, she described how life has changed for their family.
Willis resides with a dedicated care team in a one-story home located near Heming Willis, 49, and their two young daughters. The setup allows his blended family—including ex-wife Demi Moore and their three adult daughters—to visit easily, while also providing a safer environment for him and his caregivers.
“It’s one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make so far,” Heming Willis admitted, explaining that she often joins her husband for breakfast and spends evenings with him. “But I knew Bruce would want our daughters to grow up in a home designed for them, not centred on his needs. We’re there constantly, and the girls have their things there. It’s a house filled with warmth, love, care, and laughter—and it’s been beautiful to see how many of Bruce’s friends still come by, bringing joy and life into that space.”
Willis’ family first revealed in early 2022 that he was stepping away from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia, which affects speech and communication. A year later, they confirmed his FTD diagnosis.
Looking back, Heming Willis described the “alarming” shift in his behaviour before they understood the medical reason. “I didn’t know what was happening. I thought, ‘How can I stay in a marriage that doesn’t feel like a marriage anymore?’ I even asked him, ‘What’s going on? Are you OK?’ But he would dismiss it.”
While there are moments when glimpses of the old Bruce shine through, Heming Willis confessed that it has become difficult to remember the man he once was. “Sometimes it’s easier to stay in the present. When we’re with him, he lights up—and that’s all I need. I don’t need him to remember our wedding date or even that I’m his wife. What matters is that I still feel a connection with him, and I do.”
