Bruce Willis' Health Updates: Everything His Family Has Said Since His Aphasia Diagnosis
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Two years after Bruce Willis' aphasia diagnosis, here's everything his family has publicly shared about the actor's condition
Bruce Willis' family continues to keep his fans in the loop two years after his dementia diagnosis.
In March 2022, the Willis family announced that Bruce was "stepping away" from his decades-long acting career following his diagnosis with aphasia, a language disorder that is "impacting his cognitive abilities."
The post was signed by Bruce's daughters Rumer Willis, Scout Willis, Tallulah Willis, Mabel Willis and Evelyn Willis, plus his wife Emma Heming Willis and his ex-wife Demi Moore. Since then, they have shared several updates about his health on their social media accounts.
In February 2023, Emma shared an update on Bruce's diagnosis on Instagram, explaining that his condition has worsened, noting that his "more specific diagnosis" is frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD).
Members of the Willis family also posted the heartfelt message about Bruce's diagnosis on Instagram, alongside a photo of the actor. They said that while news of his frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is "painful," for Bruce's family, "it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis."
Bruce's tight-knit blended family has been open about their support for the actor since revealing his original diagnosis and subsequent decision to retire from acting. In addition, several of the actor's Hollywood friends have shown their support, including Jamie Lee Curtis and Liam Neeson.
Here's what Bruce's family has said since his first diagnosis in March 2022.
Related: Bruce Willis' 5 Daughters: Everything to Know
March 30, 2022: Bruce Willis' family reveals his aphasia diagnosis
The Willis family shared the news of Bruce's decision to step away from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia in late March 2022. The announcement was posted on their Instagram feeds, alongside a photo of the actor.
"To Bruce's amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities," the statement began.
Related: Bruce Willis Has Aphasia and Is 'Stepping Away' from Acting, Family Reveals
"As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him," the caption added. The Instagram posts went on to say that it "is a really challenging time" for them all, "and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support."
"As Bruce always says, 'Live it up' and together we plan to do just that," they concluded, signing the note from the actor's daughters Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel and Evelyn, plus Bruce's wife Emma and his ex-wife Demi.
March 30, 2022: Scout Willis says sharing Bruce Willis' diagnosis was 'surreal'
Bruce's daughter Scout thanked her followers for the love and support her family has received following the announcement of her father's diagnosis.
"Papa ❤️🔥 Yesterday was so surreal, sharing something so personal. I didn't know how it would be received, there is always an unknown when sharing out so vulnerably into the world," Scout began a heartfelt post on Instagram. "I'd hoped for some love and compassion, I truly NEVER could have anticipated the depth and breadth of the love we received as a family yesterday."
"It kept hitting me yesterday how much love, energy, and prayers were now being sent to my daddio and just humbling me in a way that's brings tears as I write this. I am so grateful for your love, I'm so grateful to hear about what my papa means to you," she continued.
Concluded Scout: "Thank you so much to everyone who reached out to me yesterday, I love and I appreciate you with all my heart, it's gonna take me a whole to respond to your messages!"
Related: Bruce Willis' Daughter Scout Says It Was 'Surreal' Sharing His 'Personal' Aphasia Diagnosis
March 31, 2022: Emma Heming Willis thanks fans for their support
Days after Bruce's family announced his diagnosis on Instagram, his wife shared a message for family, friends and fans thanking them for sharing support as they rally around her.
"Your love, support, compassion, prayers really help," Emma wrote in a post on her Instagram Story. "I'm grateful." The model concluded, "Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Related: Bruce Willis' Aphasia Has 'Been Hard' for Wife Emma: 'Not Easy Seeing a Spouse Decline' (Source)
June 13, 2022: Emma Heming Willis calls Bruce Willis my 'North Star' in a tribute post
"My motto is don't let the fear stop you. Why? Because fear constantly stops me 😂🙈 Which is another reason I fell for my husband, fear has never stopped him. I mean what kind of next level confidence does it take to sing lead with The Temptations?" Emma captioned a tribute video to Bruce.
"You can say what you want (and boy have they) but this guy has always been led by his passion and has never let naysayers stop him from, well, anything," she added. "And I have so much respect, love and admiration for that man because of it. Enjoy this little ditty that warms my heart ❤️."
She also posted the video to her Instagram Story, writing, "He's my North Star," beneath it. In a subsequent Story, she wrote: "I love him so much it hurts."
Aug. 31, 2022: Emma Heming Willis opens up about grief
Emma shared a video montage to Instagram showing what she's been up to this summer in the wake of her husband Bruce's diagnosis and subsequent decision to step away from acting in March. The post was uploaded in support of National Grief Awareness Day.
"This was the summer of self-discovery — finding new hobbies, going out of my comfort zone and staying active," Emma wrote in the caption to the post, which showed clips of her using a fitness mirror, gardening, playing tennis and doing some painting and finishing work on a wooden fence and table. Emma set her video montage to Aretha Franklin's 1968 recording of "I Say A Little Prayer."
"My grief can be paralyzing but I'm learning how to live along side it," Emma continued in the caption. "As my step-daughter @scoutlaruewillis told me, grief is the deepest and purest form of love. I hope you find some comfort in that too 💞."
Related: Bruce Willis Is 'Happy' About Becoming a Grandpa as He Enjoys 'Having More Family Time': Source
Feb. 16, 2023: Bruce Willis' family reveals his 'condition has progressed'
Emma released a statement on behalf of the Willis family further addressing Bruce's diagnosis on Instagram. The new statement revealed that the condition has progressed, stating that Bruce has frontotemporal dementia (also known as FTD).
"Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces," the statement said. "While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis."
Feb. 16, 2023: Bruce Willis' family posts a statement on the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration's website
In addition to the Instagram post, Emma directed her followers to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration's website to read the family's complete statement and learn more about the disease.
"Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately," it began. "We know in our hearts that — if he could today — he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families," the statement added.
"Bruce has always found joy in life — and has helped everyone he knows to do the same," the family said. "It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us. We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible."
Feb. 17, 2023: Scout Willis shares her emotions and thanks fans for support
Scout shared her emotional struggles with her followers after revealing her father's most recent diagnosis. "Feeling emotionally tired and a bit overwhelmed, yet also very in awe of the love so many people have for my papa," she wrote on her Instagram Story.
"Second this Scouter feeling the abundant love for our guy and our family 🫂," wrote Tallulah, reposting her sister's story on their own. Rumer added a message on her Story, writing, "I third this Scouter and [Tallulah] feeling so deeply grateful and in awe of the love for us and our sweet Daddio."
March 7, 2023: Emma Heming Willis says she's 'always' going to advocate for Bruce Willis
In a video shared to her Instagram, Emma responded to criticism she was "getting her five minutes" of fame due to her husband's medical issues and added in the post's caption that she's "sat around quietly for too long."
"I just saw something about me getting my five minutes, which is great," she began in the video. "Which means that you're listening. So I'm going to take my five minutes, and I'm going to turn it into 10 because I'm always going to advocate for my husband."
While stressing that she would continue to raise awareness about the disease, she added: "I am going to turn my grief and my anger and my sadness and do something good around something that feels less than. So, watch this space because I didn't come to play."
Related: Emma Heming Willis Tells Paparazzi to Stop Yelling at Bruce Willis Following Dementia Diagnosis
March 19, 2023: Emma Heming Willis says she's been feeling 'sadness' and 'grief' everyday
Emma opened up on her Instagram Story about the array of emotions she felt on her husband's 68th birthday, his first since revealing his diagnosis. She admitted that she "started the morning by crying," pointing out her "swollen eyes and snotty nose."
"I just think it's important that you see all sides of this," she began. "I always get this message or people always tell me, 'Oh, you're so strong. I don't know how you do it.' I'm not given a choice," Emma explained. "I wish I was, but I'm also raising two kids in this."
"Sometimes in our lives, we have to put our big girl panties on and get to it. And that's what I'm doing," she continued. "But I do have times of sadness, every day, grief every day, and I'm really feeling it today on his birthday."
"I worked on this [forthcoming] reel that I'm posting for my husband's birthday. I don't know why I do that to myself because the videos are like a knife in my heart," Emma said. "But as much as I do it for myself I do it for you because I know how much you love my husband," she told fans before pausing to remind herself, "Don't cry, Emma."
She concluded the video by saying, "But [fans' support] means so much to me, so thank you."
May 31, 2023: Tallulah Willis opens up about Bruce Willis in Vogue essay
In an essay for Vogue, Tallulah talked about how she grappled with her father's declining health as their family pursued a diagnosis.
"These days, my dad can be reliably found on the first floor of the house, somewhere in the big open plan of the kitchen-dining-living room, or in his office," she wrote in the essay. "Thankfully, dementia has not affected his mobility,” she adds.
Elsewhere in the publication, she shared that she takes "tons of photos" each time she goes to her dad's house "of whatever I see, the state of things."
"I’m like an archaeologist, searching for treasure in stuff that I never used to pay much attention to," Tallulah continued. “I have every voicemail from him saved on a hard drive. I find that I’m trying to document, to build a record for the day when he isn’t there to remind me of him and of us."
Tallulah also said he still remembers her. “He still knows who I am and lights up when I enter the room," she detailed.
June 2023: Bruce Willis rides Disneyland's Splash Mountain with his family
In June 2023, Emma shared a video on Instagram from a family-fun trip to Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Seen riding the theme park's Splash Mountain attraction with one of their two daughters, Bruce was captured putting one arm around the little girl sitting beside him, while using his other to shield her face. "You better watch out," he said while on the ride in the short clip. "I think we're going to go again."
June 18, 2023: Demi Moore and Emma Heming Willis say Bruce Willis is a "gift that keeps giving'
Both Demi and Emma shared heartwarming tributes to the Die Hard actor and ultimate girl dad on Father's Day.
Demi posted an adorable throwback photo on Instagram of her ex-husband and their three adult daughters — Tallulah, Scout and Rumer — sticking out their tongues.
“Forever grateful to you BW for giving me these three beautiful girls. We love our #girldad. Happy Father’s Day!” the Charlie’s Angels alum wrote in her caption.
For her Instagram post, Emma shared a sweet photo of her husband kissing their daughter Mabel Ray on the forehead. “Father’s Day is a time I get to reflect on my deep appreciation and respect I have for Bruce as I watch him father our little ones,” Emma wrote.
“Where it might not be ‘conventional,’ what he’s teaching them will span generations,” she continued. “Unconditional love, kindness, strength, compassion, patience, generosity, resilience.”
“Happy Father’s Day to the greatest dad I know, who will forever be the gift that keeps giving within our family,” added the model and entrepreneur.
June 18, 2023: Emma Heming Willis says Bruce Willis' love feels like the 'coziest blanket'
As Emma celebrated her 45th birthday in June, amid the Willis family's Father's Day celebrations, she shared photos of her and her husband Bruce snuggled up with each other on Instagram.
"His love feels like the warmest coziest blanket. Once you’re wrapped in it, you never want to get out," she wrote on her Instagram Story.
Separately, Emma shared a video on Instagram in which she can be seen wearing a birthday hat and blowing out candles on a cake. "So many candles on this bad boy it could have taken down our house! None the less, what a beautiful day it was," she wrote in the post.
September 25, 2023: Emma Heming Willis says 'it's hard to know' if Bruce Willis is aware of FTD condition
During Emma’s appearance on the Today show, she was candid about Bruce's health, telling co-anchor Hoda Kotb that he may or may not know what's happening to him. "It's hard to know," she said. "It's hard to know."
"What I’m learning is that dementia is hard," Emma said. "It’s hard on the person diagnosed. It’s also hard on the family. And that is no different for Bruce, or myself, or our girls. When they say that this is a family disease, it really is."
When asked what he was teaching their girls, the proud wife replied, "Love, patience, resilience — so much. And he’s teaching me and our whole… for me to be out here doing this, this is not my comfort zone. This is the power of Bruce."
As for the kids, "I think my kids would be great no matter what," she said. "This is not what I would want for them. But really what I said, it’s teaching them so much. And how to care, and love, and really, it’s a beautiful thing amongst the sadness."
November 8, 2023: Tallulah Willis says her father Bruce Willis 'is the same'
During Tallulah's appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, she opened up about her father's life after his FTD diagnosis.
"He is the same, which I think in this regard I’ve learned is the best thing you can ask for," she told host Drew Barrymore. "I see love when I’m with him, and it’s my dad and he loves me, which is really special," she added of the Die Hard actor.
March 21, 2024: Emma Heming Willis says she and Bruce Willis are "stronger than ever" as they celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary
On their anniversary, Emma shared a photo of Bruce giving her a kiss on Instagram, writing that she had a "choice to wallow in sorrow or I can celebrate it."
"Our union and connection is probably stronger than ever. We have two bright, fun and healthy daughters. We have a family unit that is built on mutual respect and admiration. And simply, I just love and adore the man I married. I’m so proud of what we have and continue to create. So, happy crystal anniversary to us! 💞," she wrote in her caption.
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