The family of action icon Bruce Willis (67) is "closer than ever" after his dementia diagnosis. A source told People magazine. The 67-year-old was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), according to a family statement on Thursday.
Bruce's wife Emma Heming-Willis, 44, of 13 years, has "the greatest support system" for which she "could not be more grateful," the source said. This included not only his children Mabel (10) and Evelyn (8), who he has with Emma. His ex-wife Demi Moore (60) and the three daughters Rumer (34), Scout (31) and Tallulah Willis (29), who come from the marriage to the 60-year-old, would also support her and Bruce.
"She's trying to create as many positive memories for them as she can," the source said of Mabel and Evelyn's mother. "She wants them to remember Bruce as a great, fun dad. She wants them to have the best memories of him."
The 'Die Hard' star is about to become a grandpa for the first time too, as Rumer is expecting her first child with boyfriend Derek Richard Thomas. A source close to the family told People in December that Bruce was "happy" about his upcoming new role. "He's excited to be a grandfather," the insider said. The Hollywood icon enjoys not working anymore and having more time with the family. "He likes being with his girls more," the insider says.
In frontotemporal dementia, nerve cells in the forehead and temples of the brain die. According to the family, the star's health has recently deteriorated. In March of last year, Willis' family announced that the mime had been diagnosed with aphasia, a speech disorder caused by brain damage. The star had then ended his acting career. "Since we announced Bruce's aphasia diagnosis in spring 2022, his condition has progressed," the family statement said Thursday.
The "more precise diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia" is "painful" for Willis' family members, but at the same time it is "a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis". "Today there is no treatment for this disease, a fact that we hope may change in the years to come," the family continued.
Accompanying the news, Heming-Willis, Moore and children Rumer Wilis, 34, and Scout Willis, 31, shared a photo on their Instagram channels showing a happy-looking Bruce Willis on a beach.
