Emma Heming Willis has shared a candid update about Bruce Willis’ health as he lives with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), saying that while he remains physically well and mobile, “it’s just his brain that is failing him.”
Heming Willis made the comments in an interview with Diane Sawyer for the ABC special Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey, which focuses on the family’s caregiving reality and how they’ve adapted as his ability to communicate has declined. She said they’ve learned different ways to connect with him, and emphasized that the emotional bond is still there even as speech becomes harder.
The update also revisits the timeline the family has previously shared: Willis was first diagnosed with aphasia in 2022, and the diagnosis was later clarified as frontotemporal dementia in 2023. FTD is commonly described as a group of brain disorders that primarily affects areas tied to personality, behavior, and language—one reason loved ones often notice communication and behavior changes early on.
In the same round of interviews, Heming Willis also spoke about difficult family decisions made to support his care, reporting that he now has a living setup designed around safety, quiet, and round-the-clock professional support, while the family visits regularly.
Part of why she’s speaking publicly now is to put a clearer spotlight on caregiving. Heming Willis has a memoir, The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope and Yourself on the Caregiving Path, scheduled for release in early September, and she’s framed the project as something meant to help others navigating similar situations.
For viewers who want the full interview, ABC’s coverage says the special aired on ABC and is available to stream afterward on Hulu and Disney+.
