Emma Heming Willis is opening up about the tender moments she still shares with her husband, Bruce Willis, as he battles frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
In a preview of her upcoming sit-down with Diane Sawyer, the model and activist reflected on the fleeting glimpses of Bruce’s warm personality that still shine through.
Emma Gets Emotional About Glimpses of Bruce’s Personality
(Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)“It’s his laugh,” Emma said, tearing up. “Sometimes you’ll see that twinkle in his eye, or that smirk. I just get transported.”
In a preview of her upcoming sit-down with Diane Sawyer that aired on Good Morning America on Tuesday, Aug. 26, Emma reflected on the times when Bruce, 70, still shows flashes of the warmth and charm that made him so beloved.
Through tears, she added, “And it’s just hard to see, because as quickly as those moments appear, then it goes,” as she snapped her fingers to illustrate the fleeting nature of those glimpses. Watch the video here.
Looking Back at the Start of His Health Struggles
The Willis family first revealed in March 2022 that Bruce had been diagnosed with aphasia, a language disorder that affects communication, and that he was stepping away from acting. In February 2023, Emma later shared that the actor’s condition had progressed to frontotemporal dementia.
Speaking with Sawyer, 79, Emma recalled noticing subtle changes in her husband long before the diagnosis. “For someone who was very talkative and very engaged, he was just a little more quiet,” she explained. “And when the family would get together, he would kind of just melt a little bit.”
(Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)She described the contrast as deeply unsettling. “He felt a little removed, very cold. Not like Bruce, who is very warm and affectionate. To go in the complete opposite of that was alarming and scary,” she admitted.
The Painful Day of His Dementia Diagnosis
(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)Emma also remembered the moment when Bruce was formally diagnosed. “I just remember hearing it and just not hearing anything else. It was like I was free-falling,” she told Sawyer, recalling her sense of panic.
(Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)She added that she does not believe Bruce ever fully realized what was happening to him. “I don’t think he ever connected the dots about what was going on health-wise,” she said.
Emma also pointed out the difficulties of diagnosing FTD, explaining that the condition is often mistaken for bipolar disorder, depression, or even a midlife crisis. “A lot of doctors don’t know about it,” she noted.
Choosing Gratitude Amid the Struggles
Despite the challenges, Emma said she focuses on gratitude. “I’m grateful,” she told Sawyer. “I’m grateful that my husband is still very much here.”
Emma, who shares daughters Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11, with Bruce, has continued to honor her husband both privately and publicly, often speaking candidly about her journey as a caregiver. She is also set to release her book, The Unexpected Journey, on Sept. 9, where she opens up further about love, family, and resilience.
Fans can watch the full primetime special, Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey, on ABC Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET, with streaming available the following day on Hulu and Disney+.
