Bruce Willis’ Wife Shares Vulnerable Father’s Day Post, “I Want It All Back”
on Jun 16, 2025
Emma Heming Willis Shares A Special Message For Bruce On Father’s Day
Actor Bruce Willis was first diagnosed with aphasia, a condition affecting his ability to communicate, in the spring of 2022.
In February 2023, his family confirmed that his condition had progressed to frontotemporal dementia, a more specific and serious form of cognitive decline, forcing him to retire from acting.
His wife, Emma, shared a post on Father’s Day, providing a small glimpse into Bruce’s journey and how the diagnosis has drastically changed their family’s life.
“Happy Father’s Day to all the dads living with disability or disease, showing up in the ways they can and to the children who show up for them,” Emma posted on her social media.
“What Bruce teaches our girls goes far beyond words. Resilience, unconditional love, and the quiet strength in simply being present. This photo says so much. Love deepens. It adapts. It stays, even when everything else changes.”
Emma Admits She Wishes Things Were “Different”
Following her words of gratitude for Bruce, Emma posted on her Instagram story that she remains sad over their new reality, and wishes things were easier for her family.
“I’m profoundly sad today,” she continued. “I wish, with every cell in my body, that things could be different for him and lighter for our family.”
Emma says that acceptance has helped her continue living for their two daughters, Mabel and Evelyn.
“And while that might sound dismissive, to me, it’s not. It grounds me. It helps me return to the acceptance of what is and not fight this every step of the way like I used to.”
She shared a number of old photos to her story of Bruce with the girls, saying she mourned for the days the actor was healthy.
“I want it all back,” Emma said.
Emma’s Advocacy For Dementia Awareness
Emma has become a powerful advocate in the world of dementia awareness since Bruce’s diagnosis, raising funds and community support for FTD research and resources.
In March of 2023, she attended AFTD’s Hope Rising Benefit in New York City, a gala that raised money in support of the organization’s work to support those affected by the disease.
“Hope was indeed rising in our FTD (frontotemporal dementia) community last night in New York,” Emma wrote in a post following the event. “Thank you for welcoming me @theaftd to my new home. It’s not the room I ever dreamed of being in but let me tell you, it’s a room of fierce love and resilience. I’m here to join the cause alongside all of you.”
Emma is also writing a book, The Unexpected Journey, a guide for caregivers through the emotional and practical realities of dementia care, set to be released in September 2025.
“Caring for yourself while caring for someone else is one of the hardest, most heartbreaking challenges you’ll ever face. It’s easy to lose your sense of self. Through my own experience and insights from leading experts, I want to help care partners feel less alone, better prepared, and empowered to navigate this journey with strength and support,” she shares of the book on her website.
