Bruce Willis’ wife, 44-year-old Emma Heming Willis, revealed how their nine-year-old daughter, Evelyn, sought to comprehend her father’s ongoing dementia fight.
On Monday, Emma posted a touching incident with her Instagram followers. She described how the youngest child of the “Die Hard” star’s family needed crucial medical information regarding dementia to support her father.
When Emma began to relate her story, she struggled to hold back her tears, saying, “So, I have to tell you this story, and I’m gonna try to do it without crying because when Evelyn told it, I was an absolute puddle.”
Emma and Bruce are the parents of Mabel Ray, who is 11 years old, along with Evelyn. Rumer, 34, Scout, 31, Tallulah, 29, Bruce Willis, 68, also has three daughters with his ex-wife Demi Moore, 60, who was wed from 1987 to 2000.
Evelyn gave her mother important information regarding the danger of severe dehydration in dementia sufferers. Emma disclosed that Evelyn discovered these details by researching “fun facts about dementia” in her spare time at school.
“Now, that’s not funny, but it’s kind of funny, and she is her father’s child because these two love some random facts,” Emma thought.
Emma praised Evelyn for her empathy and proactivity, saying, “Thank you for letting me know… that the most loving and compassionate thing you can do is be curious and educate yourself on your dad’s disease.”
This feeling emphasizes how crucial it is for caregivers—whether friends or family—to arm themselves with information on the illness the people they care about are battling. Emma said, “It’s the best way to give support.”
Emma connected this touching experience and what dementia specialist Adria Thompson had previously discussed with her on social media.
Emma reposted Thompson’s remark: “On behalf of the dementia patient you’re caring for, whether they can express it or not – I want to say thank you. I appreciate that you cared about them and took the time to learn about dementia.”
Emma urged everyone to “keep learning, stay curious, and remember to hydrate your loved ones” as she concluded her post.
Emma is still a tower of strength for her husband and an advocate for dementia sufferers. She recently went to a showing of the documentary “Empty Little Boxes,” which was made by best-selling novelist Max Lugareve, whose mother also suffers from dementia.
She took advantage of the chance to discuss her experiences and spread the word about the disease’s limited treatment options.
She posted images from the occasion and commended Lugareve for his work in spreading awareness of the illness. She replied, “Max, thank you for being so courageous and vulnerable to share the journey and highlight the significance of brain health.”
Bruce Willis gave up acting last year to focus on his battle with aphasia, a condition that affects his language skills. His family revealed his retirement and state of health in a statement at the time.
Bruce’s family, including Emma and his ex-wife Demi Moore, announced in a joint statement on February 16, 2023, that he had developed frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
Symptoms of this type of dementia include personality changes, repetitive and compulsive motions, seeking unhealthy foods, and speaking difficulties. These symptoms differ from those of Alzheimer’s disease.
“In the spirit of that,” the family’s statement continued, “we wanted to give you an update about our beloved husband, father, and friend since we now have a deeper understanding of what he is experiencing.”
The family conveyed their joy at receiving a definitive diagnosis and expressed gratitude for their outpouring of support since making the initial news.
