Emma Heming Willis, wife of Bruce Willis, recently shared a heartfelt throwback photo of the actor holding their daughter Mabel, reflecting on cherished family moments amid his battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Diagnosed in early 2023, FTD has caused the Die Hard star to withdraw from public life since his retirement in March 2022. The rare neurological condition affects behavior, language, memory, and physical abilities, posing immense challenges for patients and their families.
Heming Willis, who shares daughters Mabel, 12, and Evelyn, 10, with Bruce, often provides glimpses into their life through social media. In a recent Instagram story, she shared two old paparazzi photos: one of her carrying Mabel and another of Bruce lifting Mabel out of a stroller during their time in Paris while filming Red 2. "Goodness. Mabel was this little last time we were in Paris. Bruce was filming Red 2. Good times," she captioned. Though Instagram stories expire after 24 hours, her posts resonate with followers.
She also shared a touching throwback video of Bruce carrying a young Evelyn on his shoulders, playfully nibbling her leg, which quickly went viral. However, Heming Willis doesn't shy away from sharing the emotional weight of her husband’s condition. In a recent Instagram story, she posted a diagram reflecting feelings like “anxious,” “confused,” and “defeated,” suggesting the complexities of loving someone with a progressive disease.
A dedicated advocate for FTD awareness, Heming Willis has worked tirelessly to support research and legislation. In 2025, the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD) will honor her contributions with an award.
In an October interview with Town & Country, Heming Willis opened up about explaining Bruce’s condition to their children. Guided by a therapist, she answered their questions honestly but refrained from discussing the terminal nature of the disease unless prompted. “If we could see that Bruce was struggling, I would address it with the kids so they could understand,” she said. “They know daddy’s not going to get better.”
Determined not to let FTD consume their family, Heming Willis focuses on advocacy and hope. "Bruce wouldn’t want that," she emphasized. “They’re going to see me fight for our family, have hope, and help the next family out there.”
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