Bruce Willis’ wife defends decision after explaining why they now live separately amid dementia diagnosis
Topics: Bruce Willis, Dementia, Health, News, Celebrity
Niamh Shackleton
Featured Image Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images
Topics: Bruce Willis, Dementia, Health, News, Celebrity
Bruce Willis' wife has spoken out once more on her decision to no longer live with the Die Hard actor.
In February 2023, Willis' family announced that he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, almost a year after his aphasia diagnosis.
The 70-year-old's loved ones have been keeping the actor's fans updated on his condition ever since. Willis is married to Emma Heming Willis but maintains a good relationship with his ex wife, Demi Moore, with whom he shares three daughters. He also shares two kids with Emma.
Emma recently revealed that she and her husband no longer live together and that he's now housed in a one-story property near their family home where he has a full-time caring team.
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"It is a house that is filled with love, and warmth, and care, and laughter," Emma said of Willis' new home, adding: "And it's been beautiful to see that, to see how many of Bruce's friends continue to show up for him, and they bring in life, and fun."
It was a difficult decision for Emma, who has been married to The Sixth Sense star since 2009, but ultimately she believes it what Willis will have wanted for their teenage daughters.
"He would want them to be in a home that was more tailored to their needs, not his needs," Emma said.
She's received some backlash for the decision to live apart from Willis, but Emma stands by her decision.
"We have two young children, and it was just important that they had a home that supported their needs and that Bruce could have a place that supported his needs," she told PEOPLE in a new interview.
"The kids can have playdates and sleepovers [again] and not have to walk around tiptoeing."
Emma added: "Everything just feels a lot calmer, more at ease now."
She further noted that dementia is different for everybody and their families, and people cope in ways they deem fit.
"Dementia plays out differently in everyone's home and you have to do what's right for your family dynamic and what's right for your person," mused the 47-year-old.
"It's heartbreaking to me. But this is how we were able to support our whole family, [and] it has opened up Bruce's world."
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article and would like to speak with someone in confidence, the Alzheimer’s Association has a 24/7 helpline you can call on 800.272.3900. Alternatively there are other ways to contact the organization via their website.