Demi Moore Opens Up About the Heartbreaking Beauty of Bruce Willis' Dementia Journey

Demi Moore shared her candid thoughts on the profound difficulty of observing the advancement of her ex-husband Bruce Willis’ dementia diagnosis.

“It presents a challenge,” the 62-year-old actress reflected during a recent podcast interview. “It’s demanding to watch someone who possessed such vitality, strength, and clear purpose transition into these altered aspects of their being.”

Moore and Willis, currently 70, were wed from 1987 until 2000. They have three daughters together: Rumer, 37, Scout, 34, and Tallulah, 31. Although Willis later married Emma Heming Willis in 2009, Moore and the acclaimed, now-retired actor have maintained a friendly relationship. (Willis is also a father to Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11, with Heming Willis, 47.)

Willis received a diagnosis of aphasia, a unique form of dementia, in 2022, leading to his retirement from his acting career. His family has provided unwavering support throughout his struggle with the illness.

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“It is crucial to simply engage with them in their current state. Avoid having specific expectations for them to embody their past selves or your desired image of them,” Moore recounted about supporting Willis on the podcast. “When one adopts this approach, I discover an immense gentleness and an essence that is delicate, affectionate, and loving. It might even possess a more whimsical and childlike quality, given the increased level of care required.”

Moore emphasized that her foremost concern is “being present and available” for Willis and their shared children.

“Anticipating the future course of the illness only generates unease. Dwelling on the past and what has been relinquished solely produces worry and sorrow,” she further stated. “A significant part of him endures; it might not always be expressed verbally, but it holds a unique beauty considering the circumstances.”

Heming Willis likewise participated in the same podcast segment and echoed Moore’s viewpoints.

“Her assessment is correct. The focus is on discerning grace within the situation,” she commented. “Despite the profound difficulty of experiencing the loss of a loved one, we can still connect with the essence of their being.”

Moore acknowledged and praised Heming Willis for assuming the primary caregiving responsibilities for her spouse.

“No clear guide exists for navigating this situation… naturally, occupying the role of an ex-wife, despite our family’s strong bond, presents a unique dynamic,” she elaborated. “A considerable burden fell upon Emma to truly manage this entire ordeal.”

Moore expressed that she feels “a profound empathy” for Heming Willis as well.

“No one could have foreseen the trajectory of this illness. I genuinely believe she has performed an exemplary task,” she enthused. “She has shown immense commitment to charting the most suitable course. She has demonstrated an equal measure of apprehension, resilience, and bravery in managing this.”

In the previous month, Heming Willis conversed with Diane Sawyer to provide an update on the condition of the Die Hard icon. She disclosed that Willis now resides in a distinct, nearby home equipped with round-the-clock professional care.

Bruce Willis’ Family Aims for 'Openness' Regarding His Dementia Struggle

“This represented one of the most challenging choices I’ve encountered thus far,” she informed Sawyer. “However, I understood, above all, that Bruce would desire this arrangement for our daughters. He would wish for them to live in an environment better suited to their requirements, rather than his own.”

The revelation that the actor had moved to an alternative living arrangement incited criticism from online detractors, but Heming Willis stood by her choice.

“Frequently, those providing care face swift and unjust judgment from individuals who have not personally experienced this path or been at its forefront,” she posted on Instagram on Friday, August 29. “Being open might attract various viewpoints, yet, more significantly, it fosters solidarity and affirmation for those who are truly managing the daily demands of caregiving. This is my motivation for sharing, to cultivate a stronger bond with a community that comprehends this experience.”