Bruce Willis’ wife Emma gets teary-eyed as she details receiving criticism over moving actor to a second home amid his dementia battle as she insists ‘our family is now thriving’ and those ‘not on the frontlines don’t get a say’

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Emma Heming, Bruce Willis’ wife, recently shared how upsetting it was to face criticism after she decided to move him from their home as he copes with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

Following the announcement of actor Bruce Willis’s frontotemporal dementia (FTD) diagnosis in 2023, the author, age 47, has become a leading voice in raising awareness about the condition. FTD impacts language, personality, and thinking skills, leading to a progressive loss of cognitive function.

During an interview in August, Emma shared that her husband now lives in a separate house nearby, and receives around-the-clock care from a dedicated team of carers.

She said making the decision was incredibly difficult, but ultimately the best thing for their family. It meant Bruce would always have the care he needed, and it also protected their daughters, Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11.

Despite receiving a lot of love and support from fans, the model has also shared that she’s been criticized online for her choice.

At last month’s End Well 2025 conference, Emma became emotional while speaking on a panel with Yvette Nicole Brown about the unfair criticism often directed at caregivers like herself.

It really broke my heart watching her talk about having to move Bruce – her husband of over a decade – to another house. She was so emotional, and honestly admitted it was a decision she never imagined she’d have to make, and that this wasn’t the life she pictured for them both. It was just incredibly sad to see.

I was so glad to hear her explain again that she truly believed this was the best decision for everyone – for Bruce, and especially for their kids. She made it clear it was the safest path forward, and honestly, it’s wonderful to see they’re all doing so well now; she said the family is genuinely thriving, and that means the world to me as a long-time supporter.

She maintained that people not directly involved in Bruce’s care shouldn’t have a voice in decisions about it, describing their family as consistently loving and supportive.

“This is incredibly difficult,” she said, her voice filled with emotion. “These choices feel impossible, and it’s not the future I imagined for us.”

I had to make the best and safest choice for my family, and I understood that being honest about it would likely lead to criticism.

What’s noteworthy is that the criticism isn’t coming from within our family, but from people outside of it.

I’m lucky to have a wonderful blended family, and everyone has been incredibly supportive, especially considering Bruce’s mother is in her nineties and we also have his siblings, cousins, and the rest of the family. They’ve all been so loving and understanding.

I anticipated a lot of criticism and judgment when I shared the details of our relationship, so I went to therapy to prepare myself emotionally.

It was surprising to see how much people criticized me and judged my actions, calling me a terrible person for what I did. But I believe that unless you’ve been directly involved in the situation, experiencing it constantly, day in and day out, you shouldn’t criticize or have an opinion.

She explained that Bruce moving out allowed new opportunities and experiences for both him and his daughters, essentially opening up a whole new world for them.

Honestly, hearing her say that… it just filled me with so much joy! It was like everything finally clicked into place. She said it was the best thing for us, for her family, and that it kept everyone safe. And now? Now we’re actually doing well. Like, genuinely thriving. It’s amazing to see, and I’m just so happy for them!

It’s easy to forget the struggles people face privately, but I’m so grateful that, finally, my children’s needs are being taken care of. It’s a huge weight off my shoulders.

They now have the chance to enjoy simple childhood experiences like playdates and sleepovers, things many of us take for granted. This has completely changed their lives, and my husband’s as well.

What works for our family might not work for others, and that’s perfectly fine. Everyone is different and has their own path, and individual care plans can even change over time – and that’s completely acceptable.

‘Dementia is messy. Caregiving is messy and you’ve got to go with the waves of it.’

Emma expected some negative reactions to her speaking out, but she feels much better now that she has. She hopes that by being open about her experiences, she can help other caregivers feel less ashamed.

She explained that people’s criticisms didn’t bother her much because she was already highly self-critical. As a caregiver, she was used to judging and putting herself down, so she’d essentially already thought of everything anyone could say. She knew what to expect and accepted it as just part of the situation.

I wanted to share this because I hope it helps others facing similar choices feel understood and supported.

I’ve come to realize that those making tough calls often face a lot of unfair criticism and judgment, and sadly, it seems to just come with the territory. It’s tough to watch, but I understand it’s often part of the job.

I just wanted to be honest and upfront about everything, and I’m really glad I was. It feels like a huge relief to finally share this and connect with others who understand what I’ve been going through.

Emma says she often brings her daughters, Mabel and Evelyn, to visit Bruce, sometimes for meals like breakfast or dinner. The family continues to prioritize spending quality time together.

During a recent interview with Diane Sawyer, she explained that Bruce would have prioritized what was best for their daughters, wanting them to live in a home designed around their needs, rather than his own.

Visiting Bruce’s house is all about spending quality time together – whether we’re outdoors or enjoying a movie. It’s a really loving, warm, and happy place to be.

Emma has shared that Bruce moving to a second home has been beneficial for both of them. For Emma, it’s allowed her to focus on their relationship as husband and wife, while Bruce has gained more independence. This change has also positively impacted their daughters’ lives.

In an interview with The Sunday Times in September, she described it as one of the most difficult decisions she’d ever faced.

Despite the pain and difficulty, it was the best decision – for everyone involved, including my husband, our daughters, and myself. In the end, I was able to return to being his wife, and that means the world to me.

It’s been a huge relief to let friends and family connect with him on their own terms, away from my house and without me worrying about being a host. I no longer have to manage their visits or deal with their reactions to the situation – especially their sadness.

In 2023, Bruce Willis’s family—including his ex-wife Demi Moore and their daughters Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah—shared that he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

Bruce Willis has been keeping a low profile, but his family occasionally shares updates with fans about how he’s doing.

Emma explained to Yvette that they decided to share his diagnosis publicly to help reduce the stigma around dementia and to demonstrate to Mabel and Evelyn how many people cared for their father.

She explained that keeping Bruce’s illness a secret had been very difficult for the family, and she hoped her daughters wouldn’t believe they needed to hide something like that in the future.

She explained that they wanted to support others facing similar challenges. They realized that keeping their family member’s dementia a secret wasn’t helpful, especially considering the shame and misunderstanding often associated with the condition, and they hoped sharing their experience would help reduce that stigma.

I didn’t reach out for the specialized help my family needed because I was worried about the information becoming public before we were prepared.

Honestly, it just broke my heart seeing the shame around his illness. I couldn’t stand the thought of my little girls having to whisper about their dad, like it was something to be hidden. I desperately wanted them to feel normal, to talk about him openly without any embarrassment. It was about protecting their innocence, you know?

I realized it was crucial to release a family statement. I wanted our daughters to see how well-known and loved their father was around the world, and I hoped that by sharing his diagnosis, we could change how people understand and view frontotemporal dementia in the future.

She understood she needed to talk about the emotional and physical strain of being a caregiver, especially after Bruce’s doctor warned her that almost 30% of caregivers pass away before the person they’re looking after.

Emma hopes readers will learn from her book, The Unexpected Journey, that it’s okay—and important—to ask for help when facing challenges, rather than trying to handle everything on their own.

She emphasized that caregivers should realize from the beginning they don’t have to do everything alone, and it’s okay to ask for help.

The professional I consulted for my book explained that many caregivers delay seeking assistance until they’re completely overwhelmed – and we were nearly at that point ourselves.

My perspective really shifted when Bruce’s doctor explained how caregivers are statistically more likely to pass away before the people they’re caring for. It was a real shock. You’re suddenly thrown into this caregiving role, and I hadn’t realized how much it could negatively impact your own health.

I really needed approval and guidance. Bruce’s doctor explained I was completely exhausted, trying to care for my husband who was seriously ill and wouldn’t recover, while also raising our two daughters. The doctor advised me it was time to ask for help.

I was so thankful the neurologist gave me the go-ahead, because without her approval, I’d still be struggling with this by myself.

I would have missed important medical appointments, and I wouldn’t have been the mother or wife I strive to be.

She confessed to feeling very alone for a long time, but said that talking about her experiences and connecting with other people had been incredibly helpful, and reminded her that even in difficult times, there is hope.

Emma shared that she’s feeling more stable and centered now. When she and her family first learned about the dementia diagnosis – and she emphasizes it affects everyone in the family – she really struggled. It was a difficult, sad, and isolating time.

I never realized I would eventually feel stable, hopeful, and find joy again – that I might even laugh once more. I really wish someone had told me that it would happen.

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2025-12-01 15:35