Bruce Willis speaks publicly for first time since dementia diagnosis while celebrating 68th birthday

Bruce Willis celebrated his 68th birthday surrounded by his family, who shared footage of the festivities on social media on Sunday (19 March).

The Die Hard star's ex-wife Demi Moore, 60, posted the moment the Willis family sang 'Happy Birthday' to the Hollywood icon on Instagram.

Willis can be heard speaking with his family - including his wife Emma Heming Willis, 44 and daughters Rumer, 34, Scout, 31 and Tallulah, 29 - as he joined in with the 'hip hip hooray' chant and blew out his candles.

The movie icon looked ecstatic with his family's rendition of 'Happy Birthday'.

The Ghost star captioned the post: "Happy birthday, BW! So glad we could celebrate you today. Love you and love our family. Thank you to everyone for the love and warm wishes — we all feel them."

Last month, the Willis family announced that the actor has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) which impacts the lobes of the brain behind the forehead. Symptoms include personality changes, obsessive behavior and speaking difficulties common. There is no known cure.

demimoore/Instagram

Willis' wife Emma, ex-wife Demi, and five daughters posted the following statement on The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration's website: "Our family wanted to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love, support and wonderful stories we have all received since sharing Bruce’s original diagnosis."

The family also shared their hopes that revealing Willis' diagnosis publicly will help raise awareness.

"Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD)," the statement continued.

"Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis."

The announcement came nearly a year after the Unbreakable actor retired due to being diagnosed with aphasia.

Emma also shared a beautiful tribute to her husband on his birthday.

She took to Instagram to talk about the difficulty of a day like someone's birthday while they are struggling with dementia.

"He is pure love. He is so loved. And I’ll be loving him always. Happy Birthday my sweet," she wrote.

"My birthday wish for Bruce is that you continue to keep him in your prayers and highest vibrations because his sensitive Pisces soul will feel it.

"Thank you so much for loving and caring for him too."