Bruce Willis’ daughter Rumer Willis has opened up about the ongoing difficulties dealing with her father’s condition.
Bruce Willis has been one of the most reliable action stars for decades, but the actor took a step back from his career in 2022 due to health reasons.
He and his family later announced that he had been diagnosed with the language impairment disorder aphasia.
The following year, the actor’s family stated he had been given a diagnosis of dementia, more specifically frontotemporal degeneration (FTD).
FTD impacts the lobes of the brain behind the forehead, with symptoms including personality changes, obsessive behavior, and speaking difficulties.
Your risk of getting frontotemporal dementia is higher if you have a family history of dementia. There are no other known risk factors.
Willis’ eldest child Rumer issued a heartfelt post about her dad for Father’s Day on June 15, while also noting the regrets she has as well as what she is thankful for.
Rumer posted a heartfelt message about the struggles with her father now (Rumer Willis)
She wrote on Instagram: “Today is hard, I feel a deep ache in my chest to talk to you and tell you everything I’m doing and what’s going on in my life. To hug you and ask you about life and your stories and struggles and successes.
“I wish I asked you more questions while you could still tell me about it all. But I know you wouldn’t want me to be sad today so I’ll try to just be grateful reminding myself how lucky I am that you’re my dad and that you’re still with me and I can still hold you and hug you and kiss your cheek and rub your head, I can tell you stories.
Rumer also shared images of her and her dad over the years (Rumer Willis)
“I can watch the way your eyes light up when you see [my daughter] Louetta. I will be grateful for every moment I have with you. I love you so much dad happy Father’s Day. Sending love to all those who are in the boat with me or have lost their fathers, to the single moms who are the dads too, to my future baby daddy…”
As well as the sweet message, Rumer also shared images of her and Bruce over the years.
Many people on social media also offered a kind word to Rumer and her father, many encouraging her to cherish the time she has with her father and to reach out to loved ones when she is struggling.
Featured Image Credit: @demimoore/Instagram
Topics: Bruce Willis, Dementia, Celebrity, Health
Gerrard Kaonga
Bruce Willis’ daughter gives ‘painful’ update on his dementia ‘struggle’
Tallulah Willis gave a breakdown on how the family is coping together
Tallulah Willis has given a health update on her father Bruce Willis since the actor stepped away from the limelight following his health diagnosis.
Bruce Willis first stepped away from back acting in 2022 after he and his family released a statement saying that he had been diagnosed with aphasia, a language impairment disorder.
Last year, the family released another statement saying he had been given a more specific diagnosis of frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), which, according to the Alzheimer’s Society, affects the frontal and temporal lobe in the brain.
Since then, the Die Hard star’s family – including Willis’ second wife, Emma Heming Willis – have been giving sporadic updates on what his health condition is currently like.
And now Willis’ daughter with ex-wife Demi Moore, Tallulah has given another update on her father.
Bruce Willis retired from acting in 2022 (Rich Fury/Getty Images)
Speaking to E! News, she said: “Our visits have so much love and I feel that and that overarches anything for me—being able to have that connection.
“I know I know he knows how much I love him, I know how much he loves me. I know how much he loves all of us.”
She did add that dealing with his health concerns was a ‘hard thing’ but has also ‘created an opportunity for more love within the family’ – especially with regards to sister Rumer’s daughter, Louetta.
Calling the 16-month-old ‘center of gravity in our family’, she added: “I think it’s universal to be in the delight of a child and to see the way their brain develops and grows.”
During the interview, she also said they were in a ‘unique position’ to raise awareness about the condition due to their status.
She continued to say: “We are in a very unique position where we have this platform. All of us do, all of us in our own ways have a voice and have eyes on us.
Tallulah Willis has been open about how the family has struggled with Willis’ diagnosis (Instagram/ @buuski)
“I think it’s been ingrained…how can we use something that’s painful or challenging or a struggle and create awareness about it or find the thing that could be supportive or healing for other people.”
Throughout the family’s journey dealing with this disease, Tallulah has been open and candid about how the family has been doing, regularly sharing words about her father on social media and has received support from fans and well-wishers
After sharing throw-back photos of her and her father at the end of last year, a fan wrote: “Your Dad is the reason why I have my SAG card. I will be forever grateful to Bruce Willis.”
While another added: “We are incredibly lucky for our fathers. You two and your whole family are beautiful.”
Featured Image Credit: Getty/Bruce Glikas/Instagram/@buuski
Topics: Bruce Willis, Health, Celebrity
Gerrard Kaonga
Demi Moore shares update on Bruce Willis’ condition saying ‘it’s a losing game’ with dementia
Hollywood star Bruce Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in February 2023
Demi Moore has spoken out on her ex-husband Bruce Willis’ condition as the veteran actor continues to battle dementia.
Moore and Willis were married between 1987 and 2000. Over the course of their relationship they welcomed three daughters together; Rumer, 36, Scout, 33, and 30-year-old Tallulah.
While they separated over two decades ago, The Substance star Moore and her ex-husband have remained close – especially in the wake of Willis’ dementia diagnosis last year.
A year prior, he’d also been diagnosed with aphasia (a language disorder that affects how you communicate).
The Die Hard favorite, 69, has frontotemporal dementia. As per Johns Hopkins Medicine, symptoms of the illness include behavior and personality changes, apathy, less frequent speech, tremors, muscle spasms and poor balance.
Since his heartbreaking diagnosis, Willis’ family have been giving frequent updates on how the actor’s doing – Moore in particular.
Speaking at the 2024 Hamptons International Film Festival yesterday (October 13), the star shared: “You know, I’ve said this before. The disease is what the disease is. And I think you have to be in real deep acceptance of what that is.”
“But for where he’s at, he is stable,” Moore added, PEOPLE reported.
Bruce Willis and Demi Moore seen with their daughters Rumer and Tallulah (Phil Faraone/VMN18/Getty Images For Comedy Central)
The mom-of-three went on to say about Willis: “What I always encourage is to just meet them where they’re at. When you’re holding on to what was, I think it’s a losing game. But when you show up to meet them where they’re at, there is great beauty and sweetness.”
Moore went on to say that she’d visited her ex just a couple of days prior to her festival attendance and took their 18-month-old granddaughter Louetta along with her.
As well as Moore, Willis’ wife Emma Hemming, 46, has shared candid admissions about what it’s like having a husband with dementia.
Hemming acts as Willis’ primary carer.
Bruce Willis’ wife Emma acts as his primary carer amid his health battles (Phil Faraone/VMN18/Getty Images For Comedy Central)
Speaking last year, Hemming (who shares two kids with Willis) said that she feels like she has to ‘make a conscious effort every single day to live the best life’ she can.
“I do that for myself. I do that for our two children. And Bruce, who would not want me to live any other way. So, I don’t want it to be misconstrued,” she continued in a video posted to Instagram.
“I have to put my best foot forward for the sake of myself and of my family. When we are not looking after ourselves, we cannot look after anyone that we love.”
If you’ve been affected by dementia or Alzheimer’s and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact the Alzheimer’s Association via 800.272.3900 open 24 hours seven days a week.
Featured Image Credit: Getty/Phil Faraone/VMN18/Instagram/@demimoore
Topics: Bruce Willis, News, Celebrity, Health
Niamh Shackleton
Bruce Willis’ daughter Tallulah emotional as she shares throwback photos amid his dementia diagnosis
Tallulah said she was proud to be Bruce Willis’ daughter.
Tallulah Willis has shared throwback photos of her father Bruce Willis as the actor continues to battle dementia.
The Die Hard star was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and aphasia in March 2022.
His family and friends have since kept his fans updated on Willis‘ condition, with daughter Tallulah sharing earlier this month that the 68-year-old was mainly ‘the same’.
She said on the The Drew Barrymore Show: “He is the same, which I think in this regard I’ve learned is the best thing you can ask for.”
The family have been trying to stay positive during this extremely difficult time, and Tallulah shared some throwback snaps with her dad to social media yesterday (November 15).
In one snap, the pair were sat on a chair holding hands as they smiled for a photograph, with a second showing her driving license proving that she has Bruce as part of her name.
Another snap was of a younger Willis on stage rocking a pair of sunglasses and fez, while the final photo showed Tallulah and Willis stood together in the sunshine.
Instagram/ @buuski
“Damn, these photos are hitting tonight,” she penned as part of the post. “You’re my whole damn heart and Im so proud to be your Tallulah Belle Bruce Willis.”
Tallulah also took to her Instagram Stories to repost photos she previously shared of her with her father when she was a child.
People replied to the 29-year-old’s post to share their own moving words about Willis.
One person wrote: “Your Dad is the reason why I have my SAG card. I will be forever grateful to Bruce Willis.”
A second said: “We are incredibly lucky for our fathers. You two and your whole family are beautiful.
“SV holds a special place in my heart because of the cherished moments it brings. Sending your whole family love. Especially BW+TW.”
Instagram/ @buuski
“Such great photos of you both! I didn’t realize one of your middle names was Bruce! How awesome,” said another of Tallulah having her fathers moniker as part of her own name.
“Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful moments with us. With you in spirit. Beautiful man,” wrote someone else.
Like Tallulah, Willis’ wife Emma has also been vocal about her husband’s dementia battle and recently admitted that she’s feels guilty that their family have access to resources that others might not.
In an op-ed for Maria Shrivers’ Sunday Paper, released on 12 November, Emma said she knows her family has ‘resources that others don’t’ which help manage Willis’ condition.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/ @buuski
Topics: Celebrity, Bruce Willis, Health
Niamh Shackleton
Bruce Willis’ daughter Tallulah shares update on dad’s ‘aggressive’ dementia
The Pulp Fiction actor has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia
Bruce Willis’ daughter Tallulah remained positive as she gave an update about the actor’s health after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of dementia.
Tallulah spoke about her dad’s wellbeing during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show this week, after her family first announced her dad’s diagnosis earlier this year.
Willis was first diagnosed with aphasia, which causes difficulty with language or speech, before the condition progressed to frontotemporal dementia, which can affect personality, behavior, language and movement.
His family have been candid about his health throughout the process, and Tallulah remained honest when she offered an update to Barrymore.
She explained: “He is the same, which I think in this regard I’ve learned is the best thing you can ask for.”
Tallulah went on to assure she still sees ‘love’ when she’s with Willis, adding: “And it’s my dad and he loves me, which is really special.”
Following her dad’s diagnosis, Tallulah set about becoming an ‘archaeologist’ to his ‘world’ as she’s been archiving all of his ‘little trinkets and doodads’.
The Drew Barrymore Show
“Being able to look through those photos, he’s my age… and he’s total goofball. He’s an absurd person, and I’m an absurd person and so there’s a wonderful line of connection,” Tallulah said.
When it comes to why the family decided to be so honest with fans about Willis’ wellbeing, Tallulah pointed to their desire to raise awareness about the type of dementia the film star has.
“On one hand it’s who we are as a family, but also, it’s really important for us to spread awareness about FTD,” she explained.
“If we can take something that we’re struggling with as a family to help other people, to turn it around to make something beautiful about it, that’s really special for us.”
Jim Spellman/WireImage
Tallulah’s update comes after Willis’ wife, Emma Heming, spoke on the Today show about whether the actor was aware of his dementia.
“[It’s] hard to know,” she told host Gayle King.
She went on to describe his diagnosis as both ‘the blessing and the curse’, explaining: “To finally understand what was happening so that I can be into the acceptance of what is.
“It doesn’t make it any less painful, but just being in the acceptance and just being in the know of what is happening to Bruce just makes it a little bit easier.”
There is currently no cure for frontotemporal dementia, with people diagnosed with the disease typically facing a life expectancy ranging from 7 to 13 years.
