Bruce Willis’ daughter Tallulah reveals why her family is open about the star’s ‘aggressive’ dementia diagnosis… as she gives an update on his condition
Tallulah Willis revealed why her family has been very open about Bruce Willis’ ‘aggressive’ dementia diagnosis, while also providing an update on the retired actor’s condition.
The actress, 29 — whose father is reportedly losing “joie de vivre” and “language skills” amid the decline of dementia — discussed the Die Hard star, 68, during Wednesday’s episode of The Drew Barrymore Show.
In February, Bruce’s loved ones announced on social media that he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which Tallulah said is an “aggressive cognitive disease – a form of dementia – that is very rare.”
When asked by Drew why the family has decided to be so open about his diagnosis, Bruce and Demi Moore’s youngest daughter replied, “Well, I think it’s twofold.”
‘On the one hand it’s about who we are as a family, but it’s also very important for us to spread awareness about FTD…’
Opening: Tallulah Willis, 29, revealed why her family has been very open about 65-year-old Bruce Willis’ ‘aggressive’ dementia diagnosis, while also giving a new health update on the retired actor
Bringing ‘Awareness’: “On the one hand, it’s about who we are as a family, but it’s also very important for us to spread awareness about FTD…,” she said of opening up about the star’s diagnosis
She added, “If we can take something that we’re struggling with as a family and individually and use it to help other people, turn it around and make it something beautiful, then that’s really special to us.”
“And part of what has been a really beautiful way for me to heal through this is to become like an archaeologist for my dad’s stuff — his world — for his little trinkets and doo-dads,” Tallulah said.
The beauty also recalled how important music is to Bruce and was a big part of growing up with her sisters.
“It’s a big part of how I spend time with him now, playing music and just being in this energy of love. It’s really special.’
Barrymore then asked the actress what “state” Bruce is currently in, with Tallulah responding with, “He’s the same… which I think I’ve learned in this regard is the best thing you can ask for.”
“And what I see is love when I’m with him,” she added sweetly. “And it’s my dad and he loves me.”
Tallulah is the youngest daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce, who also share Rumer, 35, and Scout, 32. The former couple was married from 1987 until their divorce in 2000.
The Sixth Sense actor later married Emma Heming in 2009, and they also share daughters Mabel, 11, and Evelyn, nine.
Helping others: She added, “If we can take something that we’re struggling with as a family and individually and use it to help other people, turn it around and make something beautiful out of it, that’s really special to us.”
Time together: “It’s also a big part of how I spend time with him now, playing music and just being in this energy of love. It’s really special,” the actress told Drew
Update: Barrymore then asked the actress what “state” Bruce is currently in, with Tallulah responding with, “He’s the same… which I think I’ve learned in this regard is the best you can ask for”
‘Love’: And what I see is love when I’m with him,” she added sweetly. “And it’s my dad and he loves me.”
“The best thing I’ve learned through this whole journey, whether it’s my own journey, whether it’s through what’s going on with my father and the way our family has merged into this beautiful tapestry of beautiful feminine energy , is making room for negative self-talk.’
She emphasized the importance of “not trying to eradicate it,” adding, “I have to make space for it so that when I see it coming up, I can just say, ‘Okay, I’ll see you.’ I’m coming and you’re going here.”
‘Instead of completely stripping myself again and again… and with that I was able to discover a lot of love for myself, which is very special.’
Last October, close friend Glenn Gordon Caron, and creator of the ’80s sitcom Moonlighting, starring Bruce, gave a heartbreaking update on the star.
“My feeling is that he knows who I am within the first minute or three,” he said Page six. “He’s not completely verbal; he was a voracious reader – he didn’t want anyone to know that – and he doesn’t read anymore.’
He added: “All those language skills are no longer available to him, and yet he’s still Bruce. When you’re with him, you know he’s Bruce and you’re grateful he’s there, but the zest for life is gone.”
Glenn explained that he tries to visit Willis as often as possible, but admitted, “I’m not always that good.”
‘But I try and talk to him and his wife, and I have a casual relationship with his three older children. I tried very hard to stay in his life.’
Family: Tallulah is the youngest daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce – who also share Rumer, 35, and Scout, 32, and the retired actor also shares daughters Mabel, 11, and Evelyn, nine, with wife Emma Heming
Loss of verbal skills: Close friend Glenn Gordon Caron told Page Six, “He’s not completely verbal; he was a voracious reader – he didn’t want anyone to know that – and he doesn’t read anymore.”
Tribute: In September, Tallulah and Scout paid a special tribute to their ‘inspirational’ stepmother Emma Heming after she opened up on the Today show about her husband’s health
“What makes his illness so baffling is that if you’ve ever spent time with Bruce Willis, there’s no one who has had more zest for life than he has.”
Caron explained that the star “loved waking up every morning and trying to live life to the fullest,” but stated that he now “sees life through a screen door.”
In September, Tallulah and Scout paid a special tribute to their “inspirational” stepmother Emma Heming after she opened up about her husband’s health on the Today show.
Scout called her “a champion” and added: “You inspire me EVERY F*****G DAY with your courage and deep love.”