Bruce Willis’ Wife Gives Update on Their Relationship Today Amid His Dementia Diagnosis

Emma Heming Willis has opened up about how her relationship with her husband Bruce Willis has changed amid his battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

Appearing on the latest episode of the Making Space with Hoda Kotb podcast, Emma was asked what “love” is like between her and the Die Hard actor now. “You know, obviously it’s different,” Emma said. “But still very grounded and rooted.”

Bruce’s family first announced his aphasia diagnosis in 2022 before revealing his frontotemporal dementia (FTD) diagnosis almost a year later. He retired from acting following the diagnosis.

“I get to be with my husband, be really in the moment with him, and there is something that is so beautiful about that,” Emma continued. “Like, I’m not thinking about the future or the past. I can really just stop everything to just be with him in these moments that are so fleeting.”

Emma and Bruce tied the knot in 2009 and went on to welcome two daughters, Mabel, now 14, and Evelyn, now 12. Since Bruce’s diagnosis, Emma has become an outspoken advocate on matters relating to FTD and families living with the condition.

The former model described having a “soulful connection” with Bruce “that really doesn’t need words… it’s touch, it’s hugging, it’s connecting through our eyes.”

“You learn to adapt to this disease,” Emma added. “You learn to meet your person where they’re at. And our life is meaningful and beautiful.”

Kotb also asked Emma what Bruce’s illness has taught their daughters. “It’s given them so much resilience, patience, kindness,” Emma answered. “They look at life with a little bit of a different lens. They have been brought up as caregivers in this world, always wanting to help someone else.”

“What I think is that, when I look at this disease and Bruce and our family walking through this, it’s hard, but I always know it could be so much harder,” she continued. “And what our girls are seeing is how we surround their dad with so much love and support, and that is what they’re seeing, that you can show up, even when it’s hard, especially when it’s hard.”

You can watch the full interview in the video above.