Bruce Willis Health Update: His Battle With Dementia
Since 2022, Bruce Willis’ health has been on all our minds. That’s when he stepped away from acting due to health issues. He has a lesser-known form of dementia that affects his communication and behavior, as opposed to his memory – something we more commonly associate with dementia.
Bruce Willis Health Timeline
The answer to, “Is Bruce Willis sick,” is, unfortunately, yes. His disease is called frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and is the most common form of dementia in people under 60. In October of last year, Bruce’s wife, Emma, said that, initially, they noticed a change in his language. But, as a child, Bruce had a stutter so they assumed it was somehow related.
Still, in February 2023, the family provided an official Bruce Willis update. In a public statement, they revealed that, when he stepped away from acting in March 2022, he was struggling with a different disorder called aphasia. This occurs when someone struggles with understanding, speaking, reading, or writing.
The onset of aphasia is sudden and it can either be caused by a head injury, stroke, or frontotemporal dementia. In Bruce’s case, they found out it was FTD as his communication difficulties increased over time.
What Happened to Bruce Willis?
One of Bruce’s daughters, Tallulah, described his initial change in behavior as “a vague unresponsiveness.” People who suffer from FTD struggle to understand what’s being said, along with its meaning. Then, when they try to communicate, they have difficulty expressing themselves.
In Tallulah’s experience, she thought her father had somehow lost interest in her. She mentioned that he’d gone on to have two children with his new wife, Emma, and thought he didn’t care about his three older daughters with Demi Moore anymore. But, of course, what felt like a lack of interest turned out to be something far worse.
According to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, the life expectancy for someone with this disease is seven to 13 years. In general, they feel that 10 years is a good prognosis. As a result, the entire family has banded together to support Bruce, including his former wife, Demi.
How Is Bruce Willis Doing Today?
To do the math, you might be wondering, “How old is Bruce Willis?” Born on March 19, 1955, he’s about to be 70 this month. Having been diagnosed in 2022, he’ll live to at least 77 if the Association for Frontotemporal Degernation’s general prediction comes to pass.
For his birthday last year, Demi posted a picture on Instagram of her sitting on the arm of Bruce’s recliner. She said, “We love you and are so grateful for you.” He seems to be surrounded by family and well-cared for by his current wife, Emma.
In one of her statements, Emma revealed that his condition is considered stable and she chooses not to wallow in sorrow. Instead, she focuses on all that they have to celebrate, including their two daughters and a unique family unit built on “mutual respect and admiration.”
More recently, Emma took to Instagram to reflect on the passing of Gene Hackman. She wrote, “Caregivers need care, too.” She went on to debunk the misconception that caregivers have it all figured out, stating that they, too, need people showing up for them so they can show up for their person.
Don’t Take Any Moment for Granted
Another sweet sentiment shared by Tallulah was, “...not to take any moment for granted.” She has emphasized the importance of being present in the moment. That seems like a healthy stance to take.
One thing we can learn from Bruce Willis’ health updates is that we, too, shouldn’t take anything – or anyone – for granted. Let’s go hug the ones we love, keep our minds on the present, and be grateful for any day that’s a healthy day. And, after you do, be sure to come back for more updates on both the Hackman and Willis family as they become available.