Bruce Willis’ wife, Emma Heming Willis, says she’s excited to spend the holidays with her husband and the rest of their family.
In an exclusive statement to People, Emma reveals that the holidays with the actor, who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), are still filled with love and happiness. “It’s joyous. It’s just different,” she explained.
Emma further elaborated about how much Bruce enjoyed Christmas and how their family is just happy to celebrate with him. “Bruce loved Christmas, and we love celebrating it with him. It just looks different, so we’ve kind of adapted to that,” she told the publication.
The actor, who is now 70, was diagnosed with aphasia in 2022 before FTD. His family shared the news and released a statement saying that Bruce would be retiring from acting. Since then, Emma has worked to increase public understanding of FTD through the press and social media. She also wrote a book titled The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path.
Emma admits that the holiday season can be really tough for families caring for someone with dementia. She also gave some witty advice: “You’ve got to play Die Hard. It counts as a Christmas movie.” She also offered some more guidance. The author said that learning to adapt is crucial. She emphasized that it’s possible to create new memories and traditions while still keeping the old ones.
You have to learn and adapt and make new memories, bring in the same traditions that you had before. Life goes on. It just goes on. Dementia is hard, but there is still joy in it. I think it’s important that we don’t paint such a negative picture around dementia. We are still laughing. There is still joy. It just looks different.
Bruce and Emma got married in 2009. The couple have two kids together, Mabel Ray Willis (13) and Evelyn Penn Willis (11). The actor also has three daughters with his ex-wife, Demi Moore, Rumer Glenn Willis (37), Scout LaRue Willis (34), and Tallulah Belle Willis (31).
Emma added that despite Bruce’s condition, she still loves him very much and feels lucky to be his wife. She explains how just being in the moment with him brings her all the happiness she needs.
[The family’s life] is very simple. It always actually has been. I think that just being able to be present with him that is the joy. Me being able to be his wife with him. Those are the moments.
The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path is available in bookstores now.
- Birthdate
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March 19, 1955
- Birthplace
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Idar-Oberstein, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
- Height
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6 feet 0 inches
- Professions
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Actor, Producer, Musician
