Emma Heming Willis is making it clear she knows what’s best for her husband, Bruce Willis, as he deals with his dementia diagnosis. Emma appeared on “Good Morning America” on September 9, and spoke about the difficult decisions she’s had to make for Bruce’s well-being.
Host Michael Strahan mentioned that Emma’s decision to move Bruce into his own home, “kind of created a debate online.” Emma, whose book “The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path” was released today, was candid in her response.
“You know, it’s really not up for a debate,” she explained. “Now I know that Bruce has the best care 100% of the time. His needs are met 100% of the time, as well as our two young daughters’. So I’m not gonna take a vote on that.”
She added that she knew people would have opinions on Bruce moving to a separate home, but at the end of the day it “was the safest and best decision — not just for Bruce, but also for our two young girls.”
Emma Heming Willis Is Advocating for Caregivers
With the release of her book and her candid interviews about her husband’s difficult health issues, Emma Heming Willis is trying to advocate for others who have been thrust into the role of caregiver for a loved one.
“I feel like caregivers are so judged, and it just goes to show that people sometimes just have an opinion versus really having the experience,” she explained.
Emma shared that Bruce had moved into his own home for the sake of his safety and well-being during the ABC News special “Emma and Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey.” She called the move “one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make” but explained that it had become necessary for Bruce’s comfort.
Through living with Bruce and learning about his specific diagnosis, Emma came to find that noise could cause agitation for him. This became an obstacle for the family, including the couple’s daughters Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11.
“I isolated our whole family, and that was by design.,” Emma said. “That was a hard time.”
Emma & Bruce Willis’ Love Story Lives on Amid Health Issues
Emma Heming Willis and Bruce Willis began dating in 2007 and tied the knot two years later. It wasn’t until 2022 when Bruce was diagnosed with FTD, a form of dementia, that their relationship was tested. “Early on, life felt very dark, very one-note of just grief and sadness,” Emma shared with People.
But now several years into her caregiving journey, Emma is happy to report that she and her husband’s love for one another has grown even stronger. “Sometimes, love does not need words,” she revealed, as Bruce’s condition has affected his speech. “I can just sit there with Bruce, and we look at each other and we laugh and smile and that, to me, is more than anything.”
