Emma Heming Willis is sharing a glimpse into her reality.
As Bruce Willis‘ health journey continues amid his battle with frontotemporal dementia, known as FTD, the model provided an update on his condition.
“Bruce is still very mobile,” Emma told Diane Sawyer in ABC’s Aug. 26 special Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey. “Bruce is in really great health overall. It’s just his brain that is failing him.”
“The language is going,” she continued. “We’ve learned to adapt, and we have a way of communicating with him, which is just a different way.”
Emma—who shares daughters Mabel Willis, 13, and Evelyn Willis, 11, with the Die Hard actor—noted that despite her husband not always recognizing her, he does know when he’s surrounded by loved ones.
“When we are with him, he lights up,” she explained. “He’s holding our hands, we’re kissing him. We’re hugging him. He is reciprocating. He is into it.”
“That’s all I need,” she added. “I don’t need him to know that I am his wife, we were married on this day. I don’t need any of that. I just want to feel that I have a connection with him, and I do.”
Although his condition continues to worsen, Emma—who married the Pulp Fiction actor in 2009—revealed that there are moments when she sees a glimpse of the old Bruce.
“There was one day, Mabel and I, we were helping Bruce into another shirt,” the 47-year-old recalled. “Mabel looked at her daddy’s tummy and was like, ‘Ooh, daddy’s getting fat. Daddy’s got a big tummy.’ Bruce looked at her and said, ‘You think I’m fat?'”
“Mabel and I looked at each other like ‘Oh my gosh’ because we really have not heard him be able to put words together in so long,” she continued. “It’s his laugh. He has such a hearty laugh, and sometimes you will see that twinkle in his eye or that smirk. I just get transported.”
Although Emma is grateful for those moments with Bruce—who is also dad to his and ex-wife Demi Moore‘s daughters Rumer Willis, 36, Scout Willis, 33, and Tallulah Willis, 31—it can be challenging to see it fade away.
“It’s just hard to see that because as quickly as those moments appear, then they go,” she explained. “It’s hard. But I’m grateful that my husband is still very much here.”
And as Bruce’s caregiver, Emma—who is now an advocate for others in a similar position—copes by trying to simply look forward.
“It’s really hard for me today to go back in time to remember even the fun because I am so caught up in today,” she admitted, “or what today looks like and walking this journey with him today, that I can’t remember.”
“I just have a really hard time remembering who he was,” she shared in her emotional reflection. “Sometimes, it’s just easier for me to stay in the what is. It’s hard to look back.”
For a closer look at Bruce’s support system, keep reading.
Blended Family
Bruce Willis stepped out with wife Emma Hemming Willis to celebrate the release of ex Demi Moore‘s 2019 memoir Inside Out. He was joined by his three daughters with the G.I. Jane actress, Rumer Willis, Scout Willis and Tallulah Willis.
Adventure Is Out There
In 2021, Bruce and Emma went on a hike with their daughters Evelyn Willis and Mabel Willis.
Big 7-0
In March 2025, Demi posted this family photo of herself with Bruce and Tallulah. “Quality time with our BW,” she wrote in celebration of the actor’s 70th birthday. “Who was feeling the love! Keep it pouring in!”
Heap of Love
Bruce received a big cuddle from his three oldest daughters and Demi in 2025.
Daddio’s Little Girl
“Oh Daddio, to be loved by you is such a gift,” Rumer wrote in an Instagram tribute to her father in March 2024. “You are the funniest, most tender, charming, out of this world silly talented and magical papa. Looking through these photos this morning I am just filled with the deepest gratitude that we chose to spend this life together. I am your first baby and man sometimes I wish I could be tiny enough to just cozy up on your chest again and laugh and cuddle you.”
Tallulah’s 30th Birthday
In February 2024, Demi shared this pic of her ex-husband with the youngest of the three daughters they share together, writing, “Showering our @buuski with love today on her 30th birthday.”
“Grateful and Thankful”
In November 2023, the actor celebrated his first Thanksgiving since being diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia earlier that year. His wife Emma 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.”
All Smiles
The actor posed with his ex-wife and their daughters Rumer and Tallulah backstage at his Comedy Central roast in 2018.
Three Generations
Bruce became a grandpa in April 2023 when Rumer welcomed a baby girl named Louetta.
Newest Addition
The entire family got together to celebrate the birth of Rumer’s baby.
Backstage Buddies
Bruce had two special vistors when he starred in Broadway’s Misery in 2016.
Broadway Bunch
The family showed up in full force to support Rumer’s 2015 Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago.
Feeling Festive
“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.”
Movie Date
Bruce took his three oldest daughters to the Over the Hedge premiere in 2006.
Sweet Kisses
The dad of five shared a sweet moment with daughter Mabel.
Giving Back
Tallulah, Scout and Rumer joined their dad at a Bruce Willis Charity Foundation in 2005.
Dancing With the Fam
The family celebrated Rumer’s Dancing With the Stars win with Val Chmerkovskiy.
Polaroid Memories
“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.”
A Birthday to Remember
Emma rang in her 43rd birthday in 2021 with Bruce and their daughters, as well as Rumer and Demi.
‘Tis the Season
The family spent Christmas 2022 together.
Star Status
Bruce was joined by mom Marlene and his three oldest daughters when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006.
Happy Haunts
The action star dressed up with Mabel and Evelyn on Halloween 2021.
Getting Silly
Tallulah jokingly captioned this photo of herself and dad Bruce making silly faces, “high drama club.”
Snow Squad
Evelyn and Mabel hit the slopes during a family ski trip.
Gang’s All Here
The family, including Demi’s then-husband Ashton Kutcher, stepped out to watch Rumer in 2008’s The House Bunny.
Disney Magic
Bruce and Emma took their kids to Walt Disney World in 2017.
Proud Parents
“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.”
