Liputan6.com, Jakarta Emma Heming Willis, wife of legendary actor Bruce Willis, shared another update on her husband's health in August 2025.
This latest information revealed the harsh reality that the Die Hard star's brain was now "failing" due to dementia.
While Bruce Willis is reportedly still in "great health" and "very mobile," his cognitive abilities continue to decline.
This decline is particularly evident in his fading communication skills, even though the family has found new ways to interact with him.
Emma Heming Willis provided this update ahead of her exclusive interview with ABC News, scheduled to air on August 26, 2025.
"Bruce is in really great health overall, you know. It's just his brain that is failing him," Heming Willis told ABC News' Diane Sawyer in the ABC special "Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey," an inside look at the actor's health battle and how his family, led by Heming Willis, has rallied to be his caregivers.
During this interview, Emma is expected to provide further details about their journey through this degenerative disease.
When asked whether Willis, her husband of 16 years, is able to recognize her, Heming Willis said a connection is still there.
"I feel he does, right? Like, he, I know he does. You know, when we are with him ... he lights up, right?" Heming Willis told Sawyer, adding that his connection is also present with the couple's two young daughters and Willis' three adult daughters.
"He's holding our hands. We're kissing him. We're hugging him. He is reciprocating. You know, he is into it."
Frontotemporal Dementia and Its Impact on the Actor
Bruce Willis was first diagnosed with aphasia in 2022, a condition that affects language and communication skills.
A year later, in 2023, Bruce Willis received a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
FTD is a degenerative form of dementia that progressively damages the parts of the brain responsible for personality, behavior, and language.
This condition is distinct from Alzheimer's and often affects individuals under the age of 60.
Symptoms of FTD began to appear subtly in Bruce Willis, such as behavioral changes, becoming quieter and more withdrawn.
Emma Heming Willis noticed that her husband, known for his warmth and friendliness, began to have difficulty communicating and experiencing emotional problems.
Ironically, Bruce Willis himself was not fully aware of what was happening to him, as the part of the brain that allows for self-reflection is often affected in the early stages of FTD.
Emma Heming Willis Crucial Role
While caring for Bruce Willis, Emma Heming Willis has taken an active role as an advocate for FTD research and public awareness.
She has been a vocal advocate for the importance of support for caregivers and continues to share her personal experiences.
To share her journey more deeply, Emma will release a book titled "The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path" in September 2025.
Furthermore, Emma has partnered with The Association for Frontotemporal Dementia (AFTD), an organization dedicated to finding a cure and raising awareness for FTD.
"That is this whole motivation for me to raise awareness about this disease, because we want families, we want people to be able to be diagnosed earlier, when they can participate in these trials," Heming Willis said, adding that she hopes people remember the "rare disease Bruce Willis has" and find resources and not feel alone.
A Moment of Hope Amidst Challenges
Despite facing significant challenges due to FTD, Bruce Willis still occasionally exhibits moments where his old personality shines through.
Emma Heming Willis recounts how his signature laugh or the grin in his eyes still shines through, bringing a glimmer of hope and warmth to the family.
These moments serve as reminders of the Bruce Willis the public once knew.
In an excerpt from an interview with Diane Sawyer for ABC News, Emma expressed her profound gratitude that her husband is "still very much here."
This expression reflects Emma's strength and resilience in facing this harsh reality. She chooses to focus on Bruce's presence, not on what has been lost.
Currently, there is no cure or treatment for FTD, but research continues to find solutions.