Bruce Willis’ wife Emma Heming thanks social media followers for being her ‘lifeline’ in emotional video message as she celebrates her 16th wedding anniversary with dementia-stricken star

Emma Heming has thanked social media followers for being her 'lifeline' as she celebrates her 16th wedding anniversary with dementia husband Bruce Willis.

Die Hard star Willis, 68, has withdrawn from public life after his family confirmed in February that he is suffering from frontotemporal dementia, a rare form of the neurodegenerative disorder.

Taking to Instagram as they celebrated their anniversary on Wednesday, Heming, who married the actor in 2009, admitted the day was tinged with sadness as she credited her online followers for their continued support.

The British model, 45, shared a video and said: 'How do I really feel about today? Well, I think that about sums it up. I just spoke to a very dear friend of mine on the phone, with whom I had a nice cry.'

She added: “It's really important to have someone you can trust with your feelings, rather than just bottling them up, putting your best foot forward and just getting on with things, which I tend to do.” have to.

Taking to Instagram as they celebrated their anniversary on Wednesday, Heming admitted the day was steeped in sadness as she credited her online followers for their continued support

The British model thanked her social media followers for providing a supportive community following Bruce's dementia diagnosis

“But you know, holidays are hard, anniversaries are hard, but for me this year was really about community: building community and connection. And I just want to say that this has been my lifeline, and I want to thank you for that.”

Earlier that day, Emma celebrated the couple's 16th wedding anniversary by sharing photos of herself and Bruce on Instagram.

In the shots, Emma and Bruce are seen lovingly kissing as they enjoy what appeared to be a tropical getaway.

The model, who opened up about the “guilt” she felt dealing with her husband's health issues, also wrote a short message that read: “16 years with this special man.” My love and admiration for him only grows.'

The couple first met in 2007 and started seeing each other not long after their first meeting.

The Pulp Fiction star was married to Demi Moore from 1987 to 2000, with the former couple remaining friends since their divorce.

They also share three daughters named Rumer, 35, Scout, 32, and Tallulah, 29.

Bruce eventually began a relationship with Emma, ​​and they exchanged vows on the island of Turks and Caicos in 2009.

Earlier that day, Emma celebrated the couple's 16th wedding anniversary by sharing photos of herself and Bruce on Instagram

WHAT IS DEMENTIA?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological conditions

A GLOBAL CARE

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological conditions (affecting the brain) that affect memory, thinking and behavior.

There are many forms of dementia, of which Alzheimer's disease is the most common.

Some people may have a combination of different forms of dementia.

Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience dementia in their own unique way.

Dementia is a global problem, but it is most common in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live to a very old age.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?

The Alzheimer's Society reports that there are currently more than 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK. This number is expected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 percent of those diagnosed.

There are an estimated 5.5 million people in the US with Alzheimer's disease. A similar percentage increase is expected in the coming years.

As a person's age increases, so does the risk that he or she will develop dementia.

The number of diagnoses is increasing, but it is believed that many people with dementia are still undiagnosed.

IS THERE A TREATMENT?

There is currently no medicine against dementia.

But new medications can slow its progression and the sooner it is caught, the more effective treatments can be.

Source: Alzheimer's Association

The shots show Emma and Bruce lovingly kissing each other as they enjoy what appeared to be a tropical getaway.

The couple started a family with the birth of their first daughter named Mabel, 11, and they welcomed a second named Evelyn, 9, in 2014.

The Die Hard franchise star announced he was quitting his acting career after being diagnosed with aphasia in March last year.

It was revealed that the artist was also diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia last February.

Emma spoke about her husband's health issues during an interview with Today and stated that her entire family's lives had been affected by his condition.

“It's hard for the person diagnosed, it's hard for the family too. And it's no different for Bruce, or myself, or our girls. When they say this is a family disease, it really is,” she said.

The model further stated that the daughters she shared with the actor had learned to become more empathetic while caring for their father.

“It teaches them so much and how to care and love, and it's really a beautiful thing among all the sadness,” she said.

The actor and model first met in 2007, and they started seeing each other not long after their first meeting (pictured in 2019)

The Pulp Fiction star was married to Demi Moore from 1987 to 2000, and the two have remained friends since their divorce (pictured with Emma and their daughters in 2019)

The star of the Die Hard franchise's Family announced he was quitting his acting career after being diagnosed with dementia