Emma Heming Willis has admitted she considered divorcing Bruce Willis before his devastating dementia diagnosis.
The 70-year-old Die Hard actor's family confirmed in 2023 that he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), after stepping back from acting the previous year.
FTD is an 'uncommon' type of dementia - frontotemporal refers to the two areas of the brain that are most affected; the frontal lobes at the front, and the temporal lobes around the sides.
The incurable disease impacts millions of families across the globe, with more than 55 million people living with dementia worldwide.
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Emma sat down with Oprah Winfrey to discuss family life and Willis' health, in a podcast where she admitted to considering a divorce prior to the actor's dementia diagnosis.
"We weren’t aligning on things we used to," Emma told the chat show host. "Our values didn’t seem to be matching anymore.
"100 percent thought about divorce, yes. I didn’t understand how our relationship was so connected, we were so enmeshed. And yet, all of a sudden things started falling apart."
The former model went on to say these struggles happened for a few years before both her and Willis felt they had to pay the doctors a visit.
She added to Oprah: "I was just annoyed with him. I didn’t understand what was happening and the conversations we were having. We just weren’t aligned and I didn’t know why. He wasn’t raising his hand about anything, and I did contemplate divorce."
The chat show host went on to ask Emma if she felt the true reality of his diagnoses hit Willis in 2022 when he received it.
"I don’t think it landed, and I’m grateful for that," Emma explained.
In a different interview with ABC News, Emma revealed that Willis moved out to a second home away from children Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11.
"Bruce would want that for our daughters. He would want them to be in a home that was more tailored to their needs, not his needs," the 47-year-old said.
She noted it was one of the 'hardest' decisions the family has ever had to make.
These days, the Die Hard actor is living in a one-story house with a full-time caring team due to the nature of the progressive disease.
"When we go over, either we're outside, or we're watching a movie…it's just really about being able to be there, and connect with Bruce," Emma continued.
"It is a house that is filled with love, and warmth, and care, and laughter. 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."
Topics: Bruce Willis, Dementia, Celebrity
Callum Jones