Emma Heming Speaks Out On Bruce Willis' Dementia Battle
Bruce Willis' daughter Scout Willis is praising stepmom Emma Heming Willis.
Shortly after the Die Hard star's wife opened about his diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and their family's journey with the disease, her stepdaughter shared her support in a heartfelt post on social media.
"I TRULY could not be more proud of @emmahemingwillis for being willing to step out into the public eye, (even though it's terrifying!!!) to share our family's story in service of spreading awareness about FTD," Scout wrote on Instagram Stories Sept. 25 alongside footage from the model's appearance on Today. "Emma you are such a champion for this cause and you inspire me EVERY SINGLE F–KING DAY with your bravery and deep deep loving. Your courage is moving mountains #FTD #FTDawareness."
Tallulah Willis—who, in addition to Scout and Rumer Willis, Bruce shares with ex Demi Moore—echoed her sister's message by resharing the post.
Emma's appearance on Today came amid World Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness Week. During her Sept. 25 interview, the entrepreneur—who shares daughters Mabel, 11, and Evelyn, 9, with Bruce—spoke about the impact the disease has had on the whole family.
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"What I'm learning is that dementia is hard," she explained. "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. And when they say that this is a family disease, it really is."
Emma noted she's been honest with their children about what Bruce is going through.
"It was important that we let them know what it is," she added, "because I don't want there to be any stigma or shame attached to their dad's diagnosis or for any form of dementia."
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After initially announcing in the spring of 2022 that Bruce had been diagnosed with aphasia and was stepping away from acting, the family shared in February that his condition had progressed and that he'd received the "more specific diagnosis" of FTD.
"I think it was the blessing and the curse to sort of finally understand what was happening so that I can be into the acceptance of what is," Emma told Hoda Kotb on Today. "It doesn't make it any less painful but just being in the acceptance and just being in the know of what is happening to Bruce just makes it a little bit easier."
As for whether her husband is aware of what's happening, she said that "it's hard to know."
Since announcing Bruce's diagnosis, Emma has given followers glimpses into their day-to-day and has been candid about what life has been like. She's also shared resources for families impacted by FTD and encouraged people to learn more about it.
"I've found a new purpose," she told E! News in May. "I can either wilt away in my sad corner—which I could do—or I can just rise to the occasion. That's where I feel I need to be."
(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family).
