Bruce Willis’ family opens up amid heartbreaking dementia battle

Hollywood icon Bruce Willis rarely reflected on his stellar career, until a devastating dementia diagnosis put his life into perspective. 

The 70-year-old Die Hard star, diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2022 after first being diagnosed with aphasia, has retired from acting, leaving fans heartbroken.

Bruce’s wife, Emma Heming Willis told People that he never dwelled on his legacy. 

“I don’t think he’s ever harped or thought long and hard about who he is, what he’s done. He’s just always enjoyed being an actor, entertaining people,” she said. 

Emma, who married Bruce in 2009 after meeting him at a gym in 2007, added, “He really loved it. It was a passion of his. That’s why I love him. He’s just always so humble.”

For those unfamiliar, the actor rose to fame in the 1980s with ABC’s Moonlighting and later starred in hits like Pulp Fiction, Armageddon, and The Sixth Sense. 

But these days, his family cherishes moments of connection more than accolades.

Daughter Rumer Willis, 37, shared a touching update on Instagram Stories, revealing that Bruce sometimes doesn’t recognise her, but the love remains. 

Rumer, who has a two-year-old daughter Louetta, added that her dad is “doing OK” amid his illness.

It's worth noting that Bruce shares three daughters with Demi Moore, Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah, and two more with Emma: Mabel and Evelyn. 

RELATED: Bruce Willis's daughter reveals devastating health crisis of her dad