Why Bruce Willis' wife suspected injury from this notable film role indicated symptom of dementia

Bruce Willis' wife has recalled when she first noticed that something 'felt off' with her husband.

Willis wed Emma in 2009 and the couple have since welcomed two daughters, Mabel and Evelyn, over the course of their 16-year marriage.

Prior to their nuptials, the Die Hard star had been married to Demi Moore, with whom he shares three daughters. Moore and Willis divorced in 2000 but have always remained friends.

Willis' family announced that he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023, almost a year after his aphasia diagnosis, and his wife has since become one of his main caregivers.

Sadly, the actor's illnesses have come to a point where he needs round-the-clock care and Emma decided to move him into his own accommodation away from (but still near) their family home.

Emma Heming Willis has been married to Bruce Willis for 16 years (John Nacion/WireImage)

Emma has penned a book, titled Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path, about her experiences as a caregiver and looking after someone with dementia.

Emma has previously recalled when she first started noticing that something wasn't quite right with Willis after noticing that he was experiencing hearing loss.

She didn't link his hearing problems with dementia though; instead she thought it was solely from when Willis filmed Die Hard.

"When Bruce was shooting the first Die Hard he shot a gun underneath a table multiple times, and they didn’t have him wear any kind of ear protection," she told Fox News. "What took out a huge percentage of his hearing. And over time, for all of us as we age, our hearing starts to go a bit."

Emma went on: "That’s what I thought was happening. Maybe we’re having this miscommunication. He is really not hearing me properly. I thought maybe that’s why we weren’t communicating as well as we used to, because of his hearing."

Emma notes this in her book too and says that Willis 'lost a large percentage of his hearing in one ear' after making Die Hard.

Emma had been candid about what it's like caring Bruce amid his FTD diagnosis (Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

She then started noticing that Willis would 'check out' during dinners, but she questioned if he was just letting his daughters have their 'girl talk'.

Emma continued: "It all felt very different. Our conversations and our connection just felt off. It was really hard for me to understand why or what was happening to be able to put my finger on it."

"I never realized, or would’ve ever thought, or have known, that this sort of lack of empathy was a symptom of young dementia."

Changes in cognitive behaviour and personality are common symptoms of the illness.

DementiaUK states: "There is a wide range of possible signs and symptoms of dementia. People may have some or all of them. The common symptoms include memory problems, changes in cognitive ability (thinking, decision-making and problem-solving) and difficulties with communication. Changes in personality and behaviour are also common in some forms of dementia."

Emma went on to explain: "I just knew in my gut that something else was going on.

"That’s when I approached his doctor. And I think that’s so important for other caregivers as well. We know our person better than anybody.

"It’s important for us that we know it’s OK, and we should feel it’s empowering to go to our loved one’s doctor and say, ‘Something is not right, and I really need you to listen to me. Hear me.’"

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.