Bruce Willis’ wife makes tragic confession about actor’s illness

Bruce Willis’s wife has shared a heartbreaking insight into her own state of mind while he battles frontotemporal dementia.

Emma Heming Willis appeared on the Today show to discuss her husband, Bruce Willis', condition

Bruce Willis’ life, Emma Heming, has made a personal confession about her struggles with her husband’s illness.

Willis was officially diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia at the beginning of 2023, nearly one year after announcing his retirement from acting due to aphasia, which causes difficulties with speech.

Since then, his family have continued to share updates on the movie star’s worsening condition on social media.

Emma Heming Willis has made a sad confession about her state of mind amid her husband’s illness. Picture from Today Show.

Her latest heartbreaking confession comes after the model admitted that she “struggles with guilt” while caring for Willis.

She told Sunday Paper: “I struggle with guilt, knowing that I have resources that others don’t.

“When I’m able to get out for a hike to clear my head, it’s not lost on me that not all care partners can do that.

“When what I share about our family’s journey gets press attention, I know that there are many thousands of untold, unheard stories, each of them deserving of compassion and concern.”

Heming – who has daughters Mabel, 11, and Evelyn, nine, with Willis – went on to share that she hopes to continue to “be an advocate” for those also living her experience.

She added: “I see that what I share matters to others who may be struggling, and in a small way makes them feel seen and understood.

Rumer Willis, Demi Moore, Scout Willis, Emma Heming Willis and Tallulah Willis are all supporting the actor in his struggles. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for goop)

“I want people to know that when I hear from another family affected by FTD, I hear our family’s same story of grief, loss, and immense sadness echoed in theirs…

“It’s important to me to be an advocate on behalf of those families, who don’t have the time, energy, or resources to advocate for themselves.”

Heming went on to add that she still has “hope” for Willis, despite his condition continuing to worsen.

She explained: “I have so much more hope today than I did after Bruce was first diagnosed.

“I understand this disease more now, and I’m now connected to an incredible community of support. I have hope in having found a new purpose — admittedly one I never would have gone looking for — using the spotlight to help and empower others.”

Willis became a household name in the 1980s and 90s after starring in Die Hard, The Sixth Sense, Armageddon and Pulp Fiction.

He has also been nominated for five Golden Globes - winning one for Moonlighting - and also three Emmys, where he won two.

What is frontotemporal dementia?

Frontotemporal dementia is caused by the loss of nerve cells in the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes.

As those areas shrink it can lead to changes in a person’s personality, behaviour and language.

FTD typically affects people between the ages of 45 and 65.

Symptoms include personality and behaviour changes and problems with language and mental focus.

Sometimes FTD is misdiagnosed as a psychiatric issue as people’s personalities can change.

There is no cure for the disease and people usually live on average eight to ten years after diagnosis.

Sufferers will eventually need around the clock care.