What Demi Moore Told Her Kids After Bruce Willis’ Dementia Diagnosis
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Originally appeared on E! Online
Demi Moore has a touching message for those with loved ones battling neurodegenerative diseases.
While sharing an update on how ex-husband Bruce Willis is doing amid his journey with frontotemporal lobe dementia, the Ghost actress shared the advice she gave their daughters Rumer Willis, 35, Scout Willis, 32, and Tallulah Willis, 29, after his diagnosis last year.
"It's important to just meet them where they're at," Demi said on Good Morning America Jan. 31. "And not hold onto what isn't, but what is, because there's great beauty and sweetness and loving and joy out of that."
And the Indecent Proposal star expanded on her ex's health, adding: "Given the givings, he's doing very well."
Last fall, Bruce's longtime friend and Moonlighting colleague Glenn Gordon Caron gave an update on the Die Hard star and confirmed that the 68-year-old was "not totally verbal" anymore.
"He used to be a voracious reader—he didn't want anyone to know that—and he's not reading now," he explained to the New York Post in October. "All those language skills are no longer available to him, and yet he's still Bruce."
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And since sharing Bruce's diagnosis with frontotemporal lobe dementia (FTD) last February—he previously had been diagnosed with aphasia in 2022—his family has been open about their struggles.
"I know I still have so much to learn about FTD, this community, and how research on the disease is evolving," Bruce's wife Emma Heming—with whom he shares daughters Mabel Willis, 11, and Evelyn Willis, 9—wrote in a November 2023 article for Maria Shriver's Sunday Paper. "But I'm finding my footing. As much as I grieve this experience daily—as I know so many others do—I also know that it has made me stronger than I ever thought possible."
As for why the Willis family has been so candid with his battle, his daughter Tallulah offered a simple explanation.
"It's who we are as a family," she told Drew Barrymore on her talk show in November. "If we can take something we're struggling with as a family and individually to help other people—to turn it around—to make something beautiful about it—that's really special for us."
For more touching moments from Bruce and his family, read on.
<p>"Grateful and Thankful"</p>
In November 2023, the actor celebrated his first Thanksgiving since being diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia earlier that year. His wife Emma Heming Willis shared this photo from Bruce's 68th birthday party from March.
"I’m grateful and thankful to know this kind of love," she wrote. "Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving."
<p>Blended Family</p>
Bruce Willis stepped out with his wife Emma Heming Willis to celebrate the release of ex Demi Moore's 2019 memoir Inside Out. He is joined by his three daughters with the G.I. Jane actress, Rumer Willis, Scout Willis and Tallulah Willis.
<p>Adventure Is Out There</p>
Bruce and Emma appear on a hike with their daughters Evelyn Willis and Mabel Willis.
<p>All Smiles</p>
The actor posed with his ex-wife and their daughters Rumer and Tallulah backstage at his Comedy Central roast in 2018.
<p>Three Generations</p>
Bruce became a grandpa in April 2023 when Rumer welcomed a baby girl named Louetta.
<p>Newest Addition</p>
The entire family got together to celebrate the birth of Rumer's baby.
<p>Backstage Buddies</p>
Bruce had two special vistors when he starred in Broadway's Misery in 2016.
<p>Broadway Bunch</p>
The family showed up in full force to support Rumer's 2015 Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago.
<p>Feeling Festive</p>
"I put my camera on a ladder, set the timer, and crossed my fingers," Emma captioned this family Christmas photo. "Now that’s 2020 for you."
<p>Movie Date</p>
Bruce took his three oldest daughters to the Over the Hedge premiere in 2006.
<p>Sweet Kisses</p>
The dad of five shared a sweet moment with daughter Mabel.
<p>Daddy's Girls</p>
Tallulah, Scout and Rumer joined their dad at a Bruce Willis Charity Foundation in 2005.
<p>Dancing With the Fam</p>
The family celebrated Rumer's Dancing With the Stars win with Val Chmerkovskiy.
<p>Polaroid Memories</p>
"What a privilege it is every day to be your daughter," Rumer captioned this throwback photo. "I love you so much. You are the coolest cat in town."
<p>A Birthday to Remember</p>
Emma rang in her 43rd birthday in 2021 with Bruce and their daughters, as well as Rumer and Demi.
<p>'Tis the Season</p>
The family spent Christmas 2022 together.
<p>Star Status</p>
Bruce was joined by mom Marlene and his three oldest daughters when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006.
<p>Happy Haunts</p>
The action star dressed up with Mabel and Evelyn on Halloween 2021.
<p>Getting Silly</p>
Tallulah jokingly captioned this photo of herself and dad Bruce making silly faces, "high drama club."
<p>Snow Squad</p>
Evelyn and Mabel hit the slopes during a family ski trip.
<p>Gang's All Here</p>
The family, including Demi's then-husband Ashton Kutcher, stepped out to watch Rumer in 2008's The House Bunny.
<p>Disney Magic</p>
Bruce and Emma took their kids to Walt Disney World in 2017.
<p>Proud Parents</p>
"First time performing in a play for these two!" Emma wrote on Instagram 2018. "Mabel played Molly and Evelyn as Sandy in an Off-off-off-off-off-off Broadway [winking emoji] production of Annie. The whole cast and production was stellar—Mom and Dad couldn’t be prouder."
