Emma Heming Willis was praised by Bruce's daughters Scout and Tallulah for speaking out on frontotemporal dementia
Bruce Willis diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia
Behavioral neurologist Dr. Bruce Miller discusses actor Bruce Willis' diagnosis and explains the accompanying symptoms.
Two of Bruce Willis' daughters with ex-wife Demi Moore are speaking out following Emma Heming's heartbreaking admission that "it's hard to know" if the actor is aware of his frontotemporal dementia diagnosis.
"I truly could not be more proud of [Emma Heming Willis] for being willing to step out into the public eye, (even though it's terrifying!!!) to share our family's story in service of speaking awareness about FTD," both Scout and Tallulah wrote to their respective Instagram stories, linking to Heming's own post about the experience.
"Emma you are such a champion for this cause and you inspire me EVERY SINGLE F---ING DAY with your bravery and deep deep loving. Your courage is moving mountains."
BRUCE WILLIS' WIFE SAYS 'IT'S HARD TO KNOW' IF ACTOR UNDERSTANDS HIS DEMENTIA DIAGNOSIS
Bruce Willis with his daughters Scout, 32, left, and Tallulah, 29. (Scout LaRue Willis Instagram | Tallulah Willis Instagram)
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Willis has another daughter, Rumer, with Moore.
Bruce Willis poses with his ex-wife Demi Moore and their three daughters, in addition to his second wife Emma Heming Willis. (Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images)
"I’ve known that something was wrong for a long time," Tallulah, 29, recently disclosed in an article she wrote for Vogue Magazine.
"It started out with a kind of vague unresponsiveness, which the family chalked up to Hollywood hearing loss: ‘Speak up! ’Die Hard' messed with Dad’s ears.' Later that unresponsiveness broadened, and I sometimes took it personally. He had had two babies with my stepmother, Emma Heming Willis, and I thought he’d lost interest in me. Though this couldn’t have been further from the truth, my adolescent brain tortured itself with some faulty math: I’m not beautiful enough for my mother, I’m not interesting enough for my father," she added.
In appearance on the "Today" show, Emma Heming Willis admitted "it's hard to know" what Bruce Willis understands about his condition. (Larry Busacca/VF14/WireImage/Getty Images)
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Heming has been married to Willis since 2009. The couple shares daughters Mabel, 11, and Evelyn, 9.
"We're a very honest and open household," Heming told Hoda Kotb while appearing on the "Today" show on Monday. "The most important thing was… to say what the disease was. Explain what it is because when you know what the disease is from a medical standpoint, it sort of all makes sense," Heming said of disclosing her husband's diagnosis to the couple's children.
"So, it was important that we let them know what it is because, you know, I don't want there to be any stigma or shame attached to their dad's diagnosis or for any form of dementia."
Bruce Willis was joined by his family, including his five daughters, to celebrate his 68th birthday in March. (Emma Heming Willis Instagram)
"What I'm learning is that dementia is hard. It's hard on the person diagnosed. It's also hard on the family. And that is no different for Bruce or myself or our girls," Heming shared. "And when they say that this is a ‘family disease,’ it really is."
Willis announced he was diagnosed with aphasia in 2022, prompting the actor to retire. In March 2023, the Willis family shared that his condition had developed into frontotemporal dementia.
Caroline Thayer is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital. Follow Caroline Thayer on Twitter at @carolinejthayer. Story tips can be sent to
