Bruce Willis’ wife, Emma Heming Willis, opened up about the changes that she endures following the actor’s health condition.
Three years after the heartbreaking diagnosis, the British-American model has found creative ways to cope and adjust to life with her husband’s rare neurological condition.
In her newly released book The Unexpected Journey, she discussed her personal experience caring for her husband, who suffers from frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
Since his communication and motor functions have been greatly affected by the disorder, she must make every decision for him.
“Because Bruce can’t communicate with me (due to the variant of FTD he has, primary progressive aphasia), I must make judgment calls for him about absolutely everything,” she wrote in her book, adding, “I can’t ask him how he’s feeling, what’s wrong, or if something hurts.”
To understand what he is feeling, Emma Heming Willis says she reads his body language and compares it to a parent who senses what a child needs purely by instinct.
“Instead, I read his body language or look into his eyes to understand what’s bothering him and what he’s experiencing,” she explained. “I compare this to the instinct that you have as a parent. With just one glance at your child, you can tell immediately if something isn’t right. And with one look at Bruce, I can tell if his neck hurts or if he’s got a headache.”
Since his aphasia diagnosis in 2022 at the age of 67, the actor’s condition has progressed to a “more specific diagnosis,” which is FTD.
The family of the Vendetta star calls this a “cruel disease” that remains largely unknown but can impact anyone.
Apart from her personal experience, Bruce Willis’ wife also addressed the criticisms involving their decision to live in a separate home while the actor is being cared for by a team of professional caregivers.
According to her, the decision was “hard” for them, but it was the “safest and best decision, not just for Bruce” but also for their two daughters, Mabel Ray and Evelyn Penn.
“It’s really not up for debate,” she told Good Morning America while promoting her book, adding, “Now I know that Bruce has the best care 100% of the time. His needs are met 100% of the time, as well as our two young daughters, so I’m not going to take a vote on that.”
Heming Willis is Bruce Willis’ second wife. His first wife, Demi Moore, is the mother of his three daughters, Rumer Glenn, Scout LaRue and Tallulah Belle.
Related: George Clooney Returns to Venice Film Festival With Wife Amal Clooney After Health Concern
This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.