Bruce Willis’ wife Emma Heming fights back TEARS as she opens up about the actor’s brutal battle with dementia – and admits it’s ‘hard to know’ if he’s even aware of what’s happening to him
- Bruce, 68, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) earlier this year
- Emma, 45, gave an update on her husband’s health on the Today show on Monday
- Actor’s wife said illness was ‘hard’ but described Die Hard star as ‘the gift that keeps on giving’
Bruce Willis’ wife Emma Hemming has admitted it is ‘hard to know’ whether or not the Hollywood actor is aware of his brain disease.
In February this year, Emma revealed that the 68-year-old star had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) – an unusual form of the disease that causes a deterioration in behaviour, personality and language.
Speaking to Hoda Kotb on Monday’s edition of Today, Emma, 45, fought back tears as she gave an update on Bruce’s “difficult” condition and said just knowing “makes it a little easier.”
When Hoda, 59, asked how Bruce was doing, Emma took a deep breath and replied, “What I’m learning is that dementia is hard. It’s hard for the person diagnosed. It is also difficult for the family. And that’s no different for Bruce or myself or our girls.
“And when they say this is a family disease, it really is,” she said, referring to her two young daughters, Mabel and Evelyn.
Emma Heming-Willis fought back tears during her appearance on Today on Monday morning
Bruce Willis, pictured here in 2019, has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
Emma said it’s “hard to know” if Bruce knows what’s happening to him
When asked how she explained his illness to their children, Emma explained: ‘I think it’s always been that way… we’re a very honest and open household.
‘And the most important thing was that we could say what the disease was, and explain what it is, because when you know what the disease is from a medical point of view, it all makes sense.
“So it was important that we let them know what it is because I don’t want there to be any stigma or shame attached to their father’s diagnosis, or any form of dementia.”
When mother-of-two Hoda asked, “Does he know what’s going on?” Is that something he’s aware of?’ Emma waited a moment before answering, “Hard to know.”
She went on to explain how it felt to come to terms with the diagnosis, saying, “I think it was the blessing and the curse. You know, to finally understand a little bit about what happened, so I can accept what is.
“It doesn’t make it any less painful, but just accepting it and knowing what’s happening to Bruce just makes it a little bit easier.
‘So many beautiful things happen in our lives. It’s just really important for me to look up from the grief and sadness so I can see what’s happening around us,” Emma added.
In a particularly touching moment, Hoda asked Emma what she thinks Bruce is teaching their girls as they all come to terms with his illness as a family.
Emma spoke to Hoda Kotb (left) along with the CEO of The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, Susan Dickinson
Emma, 45, admitted she felt out of her “comfort zone” during the morning show
Bruce pictured with three of his daughters, including the two he shares with Emma
Bruce is pictured with his entire family, including his ex-wife Demi Moore and their daughters Rumer, Scout and Tallulah
“Honestly, he’s the gift that keeps on giving. Love, patience, resilience, so much…’ Emma said.
“And he teaches me and our whole… I mean, you know, being here doing this is not my comfort zone, but this is Bruce’s strength.”