Bruce Willis’ battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a disorder leading to speaking, reading and writing issues, has moved hearts all over the globe and as his condition has evolved, his family have continued to share updates with fans and wellwishers.
In March 2025, his three eldest daughters took to Instagram to celebrate the star’s 70th birthday, sharing a collection of photos and videos.
“I cried a lot this morning because I’m a baddie and grief is non-linear and I am so full of love,” admitted Scout Willis.
“Grief it’s the price I pay to get to feel this depth of love and I would never give my grief away. I’m in Nashville making a record right now and I’m just so deeply aware that the music I make is a direct result of the musical education my dad made sure I got because it was his absolute joy to share what he loved with me.
“Every time I smirk and audaciously ask for more and every time I feel so f**king insatiable that I want to devour the entire world because I am so GODDAMN in love with life, I am my father’s child. I’m so full of feeling today and just extending this massive Love to anyone feeling deeply today.”
News of Bruce’s diagnosis was first shared by his wife Emma, his ex-wife Demi Moore and his three eldest daughters in an emotional Instagram post in February 2023.
“Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces,” their posts read at the time. “While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”
The self-dubbed ‘Ladies of Willis/Moore’ have displayed their close solidarity as Bruce’s health has declined over the years, and Demi has become one of Bruce’s toughest allies in recent times. The actress has also a pillar of support for Emma, who shares her own two daughters, Mabel and Evelyn with the star.
“Demi and Bruce have always had one of those rare relationships that actually improved once they’d gotten divorced,” a source previously told WHO . “Once the pressure was off, over time they became the best of friends, helped by their determination to give their girls the best lives possible. Which is why Demi has promised Bruce – and Emma – that she’ll be there for them forever.”
“Having such a blended family might not be for everyone, but Emma thanks her lucky stars that Bruce has Demi…they’re going to need each other as Bruce’s condition worsens.”
“Demi tags in with Emma all the time and they’re all living close by to give Bruce’s daughters precious time with their dad,” the source added. “Everyone hopes that having all his great loves around him provides him some comfort.”
What disease does Bruce Willis have
In 2023 Bruce Willis’ family announced that he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and had to retire from acting. Before this diagnosis, the family had revealed in March 2022 that he was experiencing a disorder called aphasia.
Frontotemporal dementia is the result of damage to neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Many possible symptoms can result, including unusual behaviours, emotional problems, trouble communicating, difficulty with work, or difficulty with walking. It is just one of several forms that dementia can take, and usually shows up earlier than other forms of dementia.
Aphasia is a language disorder that affects how you communicate. It is caused by damage to the language centres of the brain, usually in the left side of the brain, that control understanding, speaking, and using signed languages.
How is Bruce Willis doing?
Bruce himself has stepped away from the public eye almost completely since his diagnosis was made public, with fans kept up to date thanks to updates from his wife Emma, ex-wife Demi and his daughters.
From sharing intimate snaps of their shared family holidays to paying tribute to Bruce on Father’s Day – the five women in the actor’s life have shared tidbits of information.
In an August 2024 interview with People, the Die Hard star’s daughter Tallulah opened up about how she now approaches visits to her father.
Visiting him as much as her schedule allows, Tallulah said it was important to “spend some time with him” but it was also important for her to go into visits “open to what the visit is, and knowing that before I go in, I’m solid. I’m okay,” she said.
She expanded by explaining, “I’ve done what I need to do to make sure that I can just be present.”
In an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Tallulah also revealed, “He is the same, which I think in this regard I’ve learned is the best thing you can ask for… I see love when I’m with him, and it’s my dad and he loves me, which is really special.”
Speaking on the family’s decision to share information about Bruce’s journey with FTD, she told Drew, “On one hand, it’s who we are as a family, but also, it’s really important for us to spread awareness.”
“If we can take something that we’re struggling with as a family to help other people [and] to turn it around to make something beautiful about it, that’s really special for us,” she continued.
Bruce’s wife, Emma Heming Willis, last spoke publicly about her husband’s dementia during an appearance on US morning program Today.
In honour of World Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness Week, the mother of two provided a rare insight into the couple’s journey since the actor’s diagnosis, explaining that “it was a blessing and the curse.”
She also revealed that she was still not sure if her husband was fully aware of his health predicament adding, that “it’s hard to know.”
Emma also spoke about her role as a “care partner” for someone suffering from dementia.
“It’s hard on the person diagnosed, it’s also hard on the family,” she said. “And that is no different for Bruce, or myself, or our girls. When they say this is a family disease, it really is. As a care partner, it’s so important to be able to ask for help and support.”
“It’s important for care partners to look after themselves so that they can be the best care partner for the person they’re caring for.”
Is there a cure for the disease Bruce Willis has?
There is currently no cure for frontotemporal dementia and the progression of the disease cannot be slowed.
Some people with aphasia recover completely but for many, some amount of aphasia typically remains.
Treatments such as speech therapy can often aid the recovery of some speech and language functions over time, but many people continue to have problems communicating.
