Bruce Willisโ wife Emma Heming admitted โit's hard to knowโ if her husband is aware of his dementia in a revealing new interview.
โWhat I'm learning is that dementia is hard. It's hard on the person diagnosed. It's also hard on the family. And that is no different for Bruce or myself or our girls,โย Heming shared. โAnd when they say that this is a โfamily disease' it really is.โ
โWe're a very honest and open household,โ she told Hoda Kotb, while appearing on the โTodayโ show. โThe most important thing wasโฆ to say what the disease was. Explain what it is, because when you know what the disease is from a medical standpoint, it sort of all makes sense,โ Heming said of disclosing her husband's diagnosis to the couple's children.
โSo it was important that we let them know what it is, because you know, I don't want there to be any stigma or shame attached to their dad's diagnosis or for any form of dementia.โ
โThis is not what I would want for them,โ Heming admitted of herย young daughtersย growing up with an ill parent. ย She also said that โit's teaching them so much โ in how to care and love.โย
โIt's a beautiful thing amongst the sadness,โ she added.
During the appearance, Heming was also joined by Susan Dickinson, CEO of the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration. Dickinson says that on average it takes people with frontotemporal dementia four years to be diagnosed properly and also noted they are frequently misdiagnosed. (RELATED: Bruce Willis Diagnosed With Dementia Following Battle With Aphasia)
In March 2022, Willis announced his retirement from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia. The Willis family has since announced that the actor's condition has developed intoย frontotemporal dementia. (RELATED: Bruce Willis โStepping Away' From Acting After Aphasia Diagnosis)
Heming shares daughters Mabel, 11, and Evelyn, 9, with Willis whom she married in 2009.
Willis also has three daughters from his previous marriage to Demi Moore: Rumer, 35; Scout, 32; and Tallulah, 29.
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2 Comments
Such a sadness for all but Heming has a beautiful understanding and I love the way she shares everything with their daughters. Kids need honesty – no wonder Bruce loves her.
Who else can do Bruce Willis parts for movies or TV?