Bruce Willis' Family Navigates Dementia Diagnosis and Care

Emma Heming Willis revealed at the Women's Brain Health Summit in Toronto on December 2, 2025, how she first recognized something was wrong with her husband, Bruce Willis. The actor's childhood stutter returned, a symptom she later learned was linked to his diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia.

This condition, a common form of early onset dementia, was confirmed after he retired from his acting career in 2022. Heming Willis described the diagnosis as a life-changing moment, referring to it as their diagnosis and expressing the grief it brought them. "I left with a diagnosis I didn’t understand," she stated, emphasizing the loneliness and challenges that come with caregiving.

She has since become an advocate for others in similar situations, sharing her experiences and insights on managing such a diagnosis. The couple has two daughters, Mabel, aged 13, and Evelyn, aged 11, who have been growing up with the knowledge of their father's condition.

Recently, Heming Willis made the difficult decision to move Bruce to a nearby home with full-time support, allowing their children to maintain a semblance of normalcy in their lives. She acknowledged the backlash to this decision but stressed the importance of creating a living environment that meets everyone's needs.

Heming Willis also highlighted the importance of self-care for caregivers, drawing from advice in books like 'Floating In The Deep End' by Patti Davis. She shared the significance of communicating openly about dementia with their children, insisting it should not be a topic shrouded in silence or fear.

Bruce Willis, surrounded by love and support from his family, continues to be a central figure in their lives. Heming Willis concluded her discussion expressing gratitude for the journey they share as a family and the strength they find in each other as they navigate this challenging time together.