Bruce Willis’ wife, Emma Heming Willis, says the couple’s young daughters are not emotionally prepared for the eventual death of their father, as the actor’s condition continues to decline.
Willis, 70, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023.
In September, he was moved into a separate residence where he now receives round-the-clock care as the disease progresses and increasingly limits his ability to communicate.
Emma said their daughters – Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11 – are already “grieving” the loss of their father’s presence, but have not yet asked direct questions about his death.
“That is the anxiety, right? Like, when will the next shoe drop? But I know that when/if it does, we’ll be ready,” she told USA Today at a conference on death and dying for caregivers.
“The girls are educated on FTD. I think that if they are to ask, I will tell them, but I think that they’re more focused on the present day, that is where their questioning is mostly, but if it’s asked, I will always be honest and truthful.”
Emma, who has written a book about caring for Willis, said discussions about death and long-term care need to become more open, rather than viewed solely through fear or stigma.
“As a society, we’re not thinking about these things,” she said.
“We’re not thinking about care and our care plans, and we’re not thinking about death. But we really, we really need to, and we need to not view it in such a dark way.
“I have a care plan for the most part that’s intact and ready for my girls, so that they don’t have to make all the decisions and figure everything out. I want to just make it a little easier for them.
“I just let them know that I’m healthy. I’m caring for myself. I try and ease that worry from them as best as I can.”
In an interview published in October, Emma also acknowledged the emotional impact Willis’ absence has had on their children.
“I think they’re doing well, all things considered. But it’s hard. They grieve. They miss their dad so much,” she said.
“He’s missing important milestones. That’s tough for them.”
Willis’ eldest daughter, Rumer – whom he shares with ex-wife Demi Moore – recently offered a rare update on her father’s condition during an Instagram Q&A on November 20, revealing he no longer recognises his children.
One follower asked, “How’s your dad doing?” The 37-year-old called it a “hard one to answer” because anyone living with FTD “isn’t doing great.”
Rumer added that she is grateful she can still spend time with him and “give him a hug, whether he recognises me or not.”
Willis also shares two other daughters, Scout and Tallulah, with Moore.
Frontotemporal dementia typically leads to severe personality and behavioural changes, along with profound speech and communication difficulties. There is no cure, and life expectancy after symptoms begin is generally between seven and 13 years.
Images: Instagram
