Emma Heming Willis opens up about Bruce Willis' dementia battle

In a heartfelt interview with Diane Sawyer, Emma Heming Willis, the wife of actor Bruce Willis, shared the challenges of caring for her husband, who has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. 

The couple met in 2005 and married in 2009; they have two daughters together.

Heming Willis noticed something was amiss when Bruce Willis, known for his talkative nature, became quieter and less engaged. 

"I just thought, 'God, that is so weird because for someone who was very talkative and very engaged, he was just a little more quiet," she recalled. 

At first, she didn't understand what was happening, even questioning their marriage as their partnership changed.

Bruce Willis was initially diagnosed with aphasia, which affects language, but his symptoms worsened over time, leading to a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia. 

Heming Willis informed their daughters about his condition early on, ensuring they knew it wasn't a lack of attention from their father.

Despite his diagnosis, Bruce Willis is still mobile and physically healthy, though his brain is affected. Heming Willis believes he recognizes her and their family, citing moments when he lights up and reciprocates affection. 

However, she made the difficult decision to move him into a "second home" with 24-hour care, prioritising his safety and their daughters' needs.

Heming Willis is not only navigating her husband's condition but also advocating for caregivers and families affected by dementia. Her upcoming book, The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path, shares her experience and aims to support others in similar situations. 

"It doesn't matter where we came from, who we're married to, that level of sadness and grief and anger and the resentment and all of this, it is one common thread that we all share," she said.