Emma Heming Willis has revealed intimate details about living with Bruce Willis as he faces his frontotemporal dementia diagnosis. In a preview clip from the ABC special, Emma and Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey – A Diane Sawyer Special, aired on August 26, Emma described the early signs that signaled a change in her husband’s behavior. This update on Bruce Willis dementia battle update highlights the emotional and challenging journey his family is enduring.
Emma, 47, noted in the segment that someone as talkative and lively as Bruce had grown noticeably quieter. She observed,
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For someone who is very talkative and very engaged, he was just a little more quiet,
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and added,
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And when the family would get together, he would kind of just melt a little bit.
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Unveiling the Symptoms and Diagnosis Process
Host Diane Sawyer pointed out that Bruce, 70, initially began losing words and experienced a resurgence of an old childhood stutter. Family members also noticed him becoming less responsive and withdrawn from their interactions. Emma described this sudden shift in her husband’s warmth, saying,
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It felt a little removed, very cold, not like Bruce, who was very warm and affectionate,
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and confessed,
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To go in the complete opposite of that was alarming and scary.
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Emma also highlighted the difficulty in diagnosing Bruce’s disease, explaining that many doctors lack familiarity with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), often mistaking it for other conditions.
Bruce Willis’ family initially revealed his diagnosis with aphasia, a disorder affecting language, in March 2022. Nearly one year later, they confirmed his condition had progressed to frontotemporal dementia, a degenerative brain disease impacting personality, behavior, and communication abilities.
In a family statement from February 2023, they expressed the painful reality of the illness while also sharing relief at gaining a clearer diagnosis:
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Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis,
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the statement read.
The Emotional Impact of the Diagnosis on Emma and Bruce
Diane Sawyer revealed that brain scans confirmed the presence of frontotemporal dementia in Bruce’s brain. Emma recalled her reaction to hearing the news, admitting the initial shock and panic she felt. She said,
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To leave there with no … nothing, just nothing. With a diagnosis I couldn’t pronounce. I didn’t understand what it was,
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and reflected,
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I was so panicked. I just remember hearing it and just not hearing anything else. It was like I was free-falling.
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When asked about Bruce’s response to the diagnosis, Emma explained,
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I don’t think Bruce ever connected the dots.
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Current Status and Family Adaptations
Emma said Bruce remains physically active and in good overall health despite the diagnosis. She shared,
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It’s just his brain that is failing him … The language is going, and we’ve learned to adapt, and we have a way of communicating with him, which is just a different way,
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illustrating how the family has adjusted their communication style around his new needs.
Precious Moments Amid the Challenge
Diane Sawyer asked if there are times when Bruce seems like his old self again, especially around their daughters, Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11. Emma emotionally responded,
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Not days, but we get moments,
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and explained,
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It’s his laugh, right? Like, he has such a hearty laugh. And, you know, sometimes you’ll see that twinkle in his eye, or that smirk, and, you know, I just get transported. And it’s just hard to see, because as quickly as those moments appear, then it goes. It’s hard, but I’m grateful. I’m grateful that my husband is still very much here.
”
The Special Broadcast and Ongoing Support
Emma and Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey – A Diane Sawyer Special aired on August 26 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, offering a heartfelt and candid look at the couple’s journey through Bruce’s diagnosis. This feature not only raises awareness about frontotemporal dementia but also highlights the determination of the Willis family to face this difficult chapter together, showing resilience and love in the face of adversity.
