When was Bruce Willis diagnosed with dementia? Wife Emma Heming Willis says how Hollywood icon's second 'serene home' has made things calmer

Bruce Willis's wife, Emma Heming Willis, recently opened up in an interview with People about how she had to face several challenges and make difficult decisions while dealing with Bruce Willis's dementia struggle.

The 70-year-old Die Hard star, Bruce Willis, who, as per reports, was initially diagnosed with aphasia in March 2022, was in February 2023 diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). During the interview, Emma talked about her most difficult decision so far, which was to shift Bruce into a different house, as the progressive FTD disease "requires a calm and serene atmosphere." She also mentioned that "it was the hardest thing for her."

Emma (49), who is a model and actress, talked about the one-storey house, which is considered to be the Willis family's "second home", where Bruce is currently staying. It is quite close to their actual family house, but it happens to be more comfortable, quieter, and provides a safe environment for him with 24-hour care. Emma, who shares two daughters, Evelyn (11) and Mabel (13), with Bruce Willis, said:

"We have two young children, and it was just important that they had a home that supported their needs and that Bruce could have a place that supported his needs ... The kids can have playdates and sleepovers [again] and not have to walk around tiptoeing."

Emma also addressed how lucky they were to have the necessary means to come up with Bruce's new living arrangement. She said, "Everything just feels a lot calmer, more at ease now."

Bruce Willis's wife, Emma, acknowledged people who disapprove of her family's personal decision

In a post shared on Instagram on August 29, 2025, Emma Heming Willis took the opportunity to address the people who commented disapproving of her family's decision to shift the Pulp Fiction actor, Bruce Willis, to a separate house, which she also discussed with Diane Sawyer in Emma and Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey, an ABC News special. Emma said:

"What I knew is that by sharing some of our intimate information that we would see these two camps. It would be people with an opinion versus people with an actual experience."

She continued and said:

"People with an opinion [are quick to judge] the caregiver" in situations like hers and Bruce's.

Emma further added:

"That is what caregivers are up against ... Judgement from others and criticism from others."

While talking about dementia, Emma told People:

"Dementia plays out differently in everyone's home and you have to do what's right for your family dynamic and what's right for your person. It's heartbreaking to me. But this is how we were able to support our whole family, [and] it has opened up Bruce's world."

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She went ahead and said:

"I get to go back to being Bruce's wife and the kids can be kids and there's beauty in that and I'm so grateful for that. I just get to be with him in these moments and that is because of this set up we have. It's been helpful for us."

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