Emma Heming Willis: Her Kids’ Lives ‘Turned Upside Down’ by Bruce’s FTD Diagnosis

Emma Heming Willis, wife of Bruce Willis, is opening up about the profound effects of her husband’s diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia and how it has affected their two young daughters, Mabel and Evelyn.

“The reality is that Mabel and Evelyn’s everyday lives were being drastically altered,” Heming Willis, 49, shared in her new book, The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path. “For instance, with FTD and similar dementia types, some individuals become more sensitive to noise, leading to distraction, confusion, and agitation. As a result, I had everyone tiptoeing around the house to maintain a calm and serene environment. This meant playdates were non-existent and sleepovers were out of the question.”

Heming Willis likened their prior living situation to having “a muzzle” on Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11, believing it was “beginning to isolate them from enjoying their own lives.” She reminisced about the “loud, chaotic, and joyful” moments that Willis, 70, used to share with his children and reflected on how much life had changed for him and those close to him. (Willis’ family made his dementia diagnosis public in February 2023, nearly a year after sharing that he had aphasia, a language impairment.)

“I came to realize I was creating an environment he would never have desired, which made me feel terrible for all of us,” she expressed. “I know his principles, what he values, and that his five daughters were always his top priority. Anyone who knows Bruce understands that his love for his girls was steadfast, and he deeply cared about their happiness and well-being.” (Willis also has daughters Rumer, 37, Scout, 34, and Tallulah, 31, with ex-wife Demi Moore.)

Heming Willis observed that her home had transformed into a place where “no one was thriving.” She made the decision to relocate Willis to a separate house with a care team to “achieve a better balance and fit” for everyone involved.

While promoting her book, Heming Willis addressed the backlash she received on social media regarding her decision to move her husband into a different home.

“This isn’t open for debate,” she stated during a Good Morning America appearance on Tuesday, September 9. “Now I can be certain that Bruce receives the best care 100% of the time. His needs are met completely, as well as those of our two young daughters. So, I’m not seeking a vote on that.”

Heming Willis acknowledged that her living arrangement decision would likely spark “debate online.” Although it was “a difficult choice” for her, she felt it was “the safest and most suitable decision — not just for Bruce, but also for our two young girls.”

The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path is available now.