Bruce Willis’ wife shares a major update on his dementia as the actor relocates to a second residence

Living with frontotemporal dementia

Frontotemporal dementia is a condition that affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, often impacting behavior, personality, communication, and decision-making. Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, FTD can appear at a younger age and may progress differently from person to person.

In Bruce’s case, the disease has significantly affected his ability to communicate. Earlier this year, reports citing a source close to the family suggested that Bruce’s appetite had decreased and that he no longer expresses hunger as he once did.

The source said the family’s daily challenge includes ensuring that he eats regularly and maintains a diet that supports his overall health.

“According to family members, the challenge at home is making sure that he’s getting enough to eat, that he’s not skipping mealtime, and that his diet is filled with foods that have the chance to improve his health instead of subtract from it,” the source said, adding that such difficulties are familiar to many families caring for loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

The same source also stated that Bruce’s acuity has declined, noting that he has difficulty communicating and recognizing people.

Emma has been careful to address such reports thoughtfully, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and compassion.

Responding to misinformation

Emma previously spoke out about the emotional toll of seeing misleading or oversimplified headlines about her husband’s condition.

In particular, she said she felt “triggered” by claims suggesting that “there is no more joy in my husband.”

She has repeatedly stressed that while Bruce’s abilities have changed, he continues to experience moments of connection, comfort, and happiness in ways that may not always be visible or easily understood from the outside.

By sharing their story publicly, Emma said her hope is to raise awareness about frontotemporal dementia while also pushing back against narratives that strip people living with the condition of their humanity.

Early warning signs

During the ABC special, Emma also reflected on the early signs that something was wrong—signs that, at the time, were confusing and frightening.

“For someone who was very talkative and very engaged, he was just a little more quiet,” she recalled. “When the family would get together, he would just melt a little bit.”

She explained that Bruce seemed more withdrawn, less expressive, and less affectionate than he had always been. The shift was subtle at first, but deeply unsettling.

“He felt a little removed, a little cold, not like Bruce who was very warm and very affectionate,” Emma said. “To go the complete opposite of that was alarming and scary.”

Looking back, she recognizes these changes as early symptoms of the disease, though at the time they were difficult to interpret.

Adapting to a new way of communicating

Despite the challenges, Emma emphasized that Bruce remains physically mobile and is otherwise in good health.

“Bruce is still very mobile,” she said. “Bruce is in really great health, overall. It’s just his brain that is failing him.”

As his language abilities have declined, the family has learned to adapt. Communication, Emma explained, looks different now, but it is still possible.

“The language is going, and we’ve learned to adapt,” she said. “We have a way of communicating with him, which is just a different way.”

These adaptations have become part of the family’s daily life, requiring patience, creativity, and a deep understanding of Bruce’s needs.

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