Bruce Willis' wife Emma Heming marks their 18th anniversary with emotional post amid actor's dementia diagnosis

Bruce Willis' wife has shared a touching tribute to the Hollywood star to mark 18 years since they started their relationship.

The 70-year-old Die Hard star began dating Emma Heming in late 2007, and the couple went on to marry in March 2009 in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

But in 2022, Willis was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) after revealing he had aphasia, a condition affecting speech and language.

This led to his official retirement from acting, with the Fifth Element star now staying out of the public eye while his family help manage his condition.

To celebrate nearly two decades of being a couple, Emma, 47, took to Instagram yesterday (December 31) to share a photograph of her and Willis, before telling fans how 'lucky' she is.

"18 years ago, he became my boyfriend. With one kiss on the top of my head, time stood still," the mum-of-two penned.

"I’m so lucky to know this kind of love."

The post quickly racked up over 68,000 likes and dozens of comments, which saw fans share support for the couple.

The couple are parents to two daughters - Mabel Ray, 13, and Evelyn, 11 - and Willis is also father to daughters Rumer, 37, Scout, 34, and Tallulah, 31, with ex-wife Demi Moore, who he was married to from 1987 until 2000.

Emma's tribute to her husband comes after she shared an emotional essay about caring for him amid his diagnosis.

The type of dementia Willis has is rare and often impacts people aged between 45 and 65, with symptoms including language issues, problems with focus, memory loss and personality changes.

In the essay titled ‘The Holidays Look Different Now’, the model opened up about how different the festive period looks now for her family and the 'grief' she has experienced.

She wrote: "When you’re caring for someone with dementia, that reflection can feel especially poignant. Traditions that once felt somewhat effortless require planning - lots of planning.

"Moments that once brought uncomplicated joy may arrive tangled in a web of grief. I know this because I’m living it. Yet despite that, there can still be meaning. There can still be warmth. There can still be joy."

Elsewhere, Emma admitted to 'harmlessly cursing Willis' name' when she finds herself burdened with festive chores that 'used to be his', adding: "Not because I’m mad at him, never that, but because I miss the way he once led the holiday charge."

She concluded her essay by speaking about learning to adapt before sharing a number of optimistic messages to those also struggling with health issues during the holiday season.

The five points she shared included: "You’re not failing if things look different. You’re adapting," and "You don’t owe anyone an explanation for how you choose to celebrate or not celebrate."