Full timeline of Bruce Willis' dementia journey as wife Emma reveals heartbreaking decision
Bruce Willis’ wife, Emma Heming Willis, has opened up about her husband's dementia diagnosis in a heartbreaking new ABC special, including revealing a heartbreaking decision the family were forced to take.
Emma spoke in the new interview about the celebrity's ongoing journey with dementia, revealing that his ‘language is going’ due to frontotemporal dementia.
The actor, beloved for his roles in films such as Die Hard, The Sixth Sense, and Pulp Fiction, retired in 2022 due to his declining health.
His wife Emma, who cares for Bruce alongside his kids and ex-wife Demi Moore, spoke in the special about his health and the mental and physical state that the actor is in following his dementia diagnosis.
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2022 – Bruce Willis retires from acting after aphasia diagnosis
Prior to his diagnosis of aphasia - a disorder that affects how you communicate - Willis had begun struggling on set, missing lines and cues and appearing to be confused.
In March of 2022, it was announced by Emma on Instagram that he was taking a step back from acting after the diagnosis of the brain disorder.
She posted on social media to let his supporters know the news, saying: "We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him.
"As Bruce always says, 'Live it up' and together we plan to do just that."
2023 – Bruce Willis’ daughter announces he has frontotemporal dementia
In February of 2023, Rumer Willis, Bruce’s daughter, announced the sad news that his aphasia had progressed to frontotemporal dementia.
She said in this statement that this condition had ‘progressed’, adding: “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.”
The illness, also known as Pick’s disease, is the most common type of Dementia to affect people over the age of 60.
Emma revealed in a September 2023 interview that it was ‘hard to know’ if Bruce was aware of his condition.
2025 – Emma Willis gives major update on his condition, including revealing a heartbreaking decision
Emma spoke about his condition in a new interview with ABC, saying: “Bruce is in really great health overall, you know. It's just his brain that is failing him.
“The language is going, and, you know, we've learned to adapt. We have a way of communicating with him, which is just a different, a different way."
Emma also spoke about the heartbreaking decision to move her husband into a second home so that he could have around-the-clock care.
She called it one of the 'hardest decisions I've had to make'.
Topics: Bruce Willis, Celebrity, Health
Michael Slavin