Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with dementia, and his family has pledged to help him “live as full a life as possible.”
Since Bruce Willis announced his retirement from acting in March 2022 due to aphasia, his family has rallied around him to love and support him through this challenging transition. They have now reunited to deliver the devastating news that the actor has also been diagnosed with dementia.
Bruce is one of Hollywood’s most illustrious actors. He is best known for his roles in action films, but he has demonstrated various talents, appearing in films and television shows of various genres and even singing. Willis is also admired for his exceptional qualities as a husband and father.
Walter Bruce Willis was born on March 19, 1955, in Idar-Oberstein, Germany. He made his debut in 1985 with the TV series “Moonlighting,” and has since appeared in over 70 films. Some of his most well-known roles include “Pulp Fiction,” “Armageddon,” “The Sixth Sense,” and, perhaps most notably, his portrayal of John McClane in the “Die Hard” franchise.
Bruce had some ups and downs in his personal life regarding finding love. Bruce married Demi Moore in 1987, and the couple had three daughters: Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah Willis. Despite being regarded as a Hollywood power couple, Bruce and Moore divorced in 2000. They have, however, remained close friends and excellent co-parents ever since.
Bruce married model Emma Heming in 2009, and the couple has two daughters, Mabel, and Evelyn Penn. Bruce’s sizeable blended family has constantly surrounded him with love and joy since his aphasia diagnosis, as evidenced by their social media posts.
On February 16, 2023, Bruce’s family banded together once more to deliver a devastating update on the star’s health. The women shared an “update about our beloved husband, father, and friend since we now have a deeper understanding of what he is experiencing” on their Instagram accounts simultaneously. They went on to say:
“Since we announced Bruce’s aphasia diagnosis in spring 2022, his condition has worsened, and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia” (FTD). Unfortunately, communication difficulties are only one symptom of Bruce’s disease. While this is painful, having a precise diagnosis is a relief.”
The post then directs readers to a complete statement posted on The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration’s website, which goes into greater detail about Bruce’s condition.
“FTD is a cruel disease many of us have never heard of and can affect anyone. FTD is the most common type of dementia in people under 60, and because the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more common than we realize. There are currently no treatments for the disease, which we hope will change in the coming years. “As Bruce’s condition worsens, we hope that any media attention will be focused on shining a light on this disease, which requires far more awareness and research,” the statement said.
The NHS states that “FTD affects the front and sides of the brain and can result in behavioral changes such as acting inappropriately, appearing selfish, and loss of motivation.” It also affects speech, with patients struggling to make the correct sounds or use the correct tenses. According to the report, most cases occur in people aged 45 to 65, and the disease “tends to develop slowly and worsen gradually over several years.”
The statement went on to say:
“Bruce has always believed in using his voice in the world to help others and raise awareness about important issues, both publicly and privately. We know in our hearts that if he could, he would respond by bringing global attention and a sense of connection to those also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it affects so many individuals and their families.”
The family advocated for greater public awareness of the condition. “We are just one family with a loved one suffering from FTD, and we encourage others to seek out the wealth of information and support available through AFTD (@theaftd, theaftd.org). “And for those of you who have not had personal experience with FTD, we hope you will take the time to learn about it and support AFTD’s mission in any way you can,” the statement said.
Finally, the family expressed gratitude to those who have loved and supported Bruce throughout his difficult journey.
“Bruce has always found joy in life – and has helped everyone he knows do the same. It meant everything to see that sense of care reflected to him and all of us. Your love has moved us for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will allow us to assist Bruce in living the fullest life possible. – “Emma, Demi, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, and Evelyn,” concluded the statement.
Bruce’s celebrity friends expressed their support, including model Helena Christensen, who wrote, “Sending you so much love, it is so wonderful you’re such a tight-knit family, it makes all the difference.”
During this challenging time, our thoughts are with Bruce and his loved ones. Isn’t it wonderful to see his family constantly showering him with love and light? Please notify us and share this with your family and friends.
