Emma Heming Willis, the wife of Bruce Willis, has revealed that the actor’s brain is “failing” and that his “language is going” due to frontotemporal dementia, more than two years after his initial diagnosis.
Despite his mobility and general health, Bruce Willis is experiencing challenges with his brain function, with a particular decline in language and speech abilities, as reported by Heming Willis on an ABC special. The couple has adapted their way of communicating with Willis due to these changes.
In 2022, Willis’s family announced his retirement from acting after he was diagnosed with aphasia, a brain disorder affecting language and speech.
Initially, Willis’s symptoms included becoming quieter and less engaged, which was particularly concerning for his family as he is someone known for being talkative and affectionate.
A year after his aphasia diagnosis, Willis received another diagnosis of frontal temporal dementia, a condition that has caused much pain to the family but also provided relief in having a clear diagnosis.
Heming Willis shared that there are still moments where Willis’s personality shines through, such as his joyful laugh and glimmers in his eyes, which are cherished by those around him.
Heming Willis and Willis have been married since 2009 and have two daughters together. Heming Willis has also authored a book about her caregiving experiences with Willis, titled “Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope and Yourself on the Caregiving Path”, set for release on September 9th.
