Bruce Willis' wife says her young children watched actor's health 'deteriorate'

Bruce Willis' wife, Emma Heming Willis, opens up about having vulnerable but difficult conversations with her two young daughters about the actor's dementia.

“Finally getting a diagnosis was key to me being able to learn what frontotemporal dementia is and to raise our children,” Emma told Town & Country.

Although Emma sat down with her daughters to explain Bruce's battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and aphasia, she shared that her children had already noticed a change in his health before the conversation.

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Emma Heming Willis, Bruce Willis' wife, shared how she coped and broke the news of the actor's diagnosis to her two young daughters. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

“I never tried to sugarcoat anything for them. They grew up watching Bruce's decline over the years. I’m not trying to protect them from that.”

“I never tried to sugarcoat anything for them. They grew up watching Bruce's decline over the years. I’m not trying to protect them from that.”

– Emma Heming Willis

The 46-year-old model explained that being honest with her two children, Mabel, 12, and Evelyn, 10, was the best way for her daughters to learn about Bruce's battle with dementia.

One factor Emma doesn't share with her children is the “incurable side” of Bruce's devastating health condition. (Larry Busacca/VF14/WireImage/Getty Images)

“I learned from our therapist that when children ask questions, they are ready to know the answer,” she added.

The “Die Hard” actor and his wife Emma Heming Willis have two daughters together; Mabel, 12, and Evelyn, 10. (Dia Dipasupil/WireImage)

One factor Emma doesn't share with her children is the “incurable side” of Bruce's devastating health condition.

Bruce Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia after battling aphasia, family says

“If we could see that Bruce was having problems, I would discuss it with the children so they could understand, but this disease is chronic, progressive and fatal. There is no cure,” she told the outlet.

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“You know Dad isn’t going to get better,” she remarked.

The “Die Hard” actor was first diagnosed with aphasia in March 2022. He has largely stayed out of the spotlight since it was announced that he would be retiring from acting following his serious health diagnosis.

Emma has been an advocate for Bruce's condition during her family's turbulent time and hopes it will help other families who find themselves in a similar situation.

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The Hollywood actor was previously married to Demi Moore and they have three daughters together; Rumer, Scout and Tallulah. (Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for goop)

“There is no treatment, that's why I'm out there to raise awareness so they can see that we have some agency in this matter,” she vowed.

“I will not let FTD ruin our entire family. Bruce wouldn't want that. You will see me fighting for our family, having some hope and helping the next family out there.”

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According to the National Institute on Aging, FTD is “the result of damage to neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.” “Many possible symptoms can result, including unusual behavior, emotional problems, difficulty communicating, difficulty working, or difficulty walking.”

Bruce married Emma in March 2009 at their home in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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The Hollywood actor was previously married to Demi Moore for twelve years and the friend's ex-wife has three daughters together: Rumer, Scout and Tallulah.