Bruce Willis diagnosed with dementia as family vow he'll 'live as full a life as possible'

'While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis'

"Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia." Image: Getty.

A year on from learning beloved Hollywood actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with aphasia, his family has shared that the 67-year-old's degenerative illness has progressed to frontotemporal dementia.

His wife Emma, ex-wife Demi Moore and their daughters Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, and Evelyn made the announcement this week via The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD).

"As a family, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for the outpouring of love and compassion for Bruce over the past ten months. Your generosity of spirit has been overwhelming, and we are tremendously grateful for it. For your kindness, and because we know you love Bruce as much as we do, we wanted to give you an update," the women and girls began their statement.

"Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis."

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'Today there are no treatments for the disease'

Bruce's family said FTD can strike anyone. "For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know," they explains. "Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. As Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research."

In a heartbreaking final message, the Armageddon actor's loved ones said, "Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately. We know in our hearts that - if he could today - he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families...Ours is just one family with a loved one who suffers from FTD.

'Bruce has always found joy in life'

"Bruce has always found joy in life – and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us. We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible."

It was almost a year ago that his wife Emma Heming Willis shared that her husband, and the father of her two young girls would be retiring from acting, after learning he had aphasia, a degenerative disorder that affects cognitive abilities. 

Over the course of his career, Bruce acted in roughly 115 films, awarding him mass acclaim, particularly for his roles in Pulp Fiction and The Sixth Sense. He's also won one Golden Globe Award and two Emmys.

According to Dementia Australia, the number of Australians living with the disease is anticipated to double to 1.1 million by 2058, prompting a race to stop its progression.

Originally published as Bruce Willis diagnosed with dementia as family vow he'll 'live as full a life as possible'