Bruce Willis’ wife Emma shares the first dementia symptoms she noticed before diagnosis

Bruce Willis’ wife Emma Heming Willis has spoken publicly about the first symptoms of dementia she noticed in her husband, describing how subtle changes in his routine and personality signaled something was wrong long before his official diagnosis.

In 2023, the family of the Die Hard star revealed that he was living with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), a rare form of dementia that affects language, behavior, and personality. While there is currently no cure, Emma has now given an update on how the 70-year-old actor is coping and reflected on the early signs she wishes she had understood sooner.

Speaking to Diane Sawyer on ABC News, Emma admitted it was difficult to pinpoint when her husband’s decline began. The earliest changes showed up in small routines.

“He would always love taking the girls to school. And then those school runs just started to not happen as much,” she recalled, referring to their daughters, 13-year-old Mabel Ray and 11-year-old Evelyn Penn.

Normally chatty and engaged, Willis grew quieter. During family gatherings, Emma said, he would simply “melt a little bit” into the background.

At first, she wondered whether hearing loss from a stunt during the first Die Hard film might explain the miscommunication. But then came other warning signs.

Language and speech struggles return

One of the most concerning symptoms was the reappearance of a childhood stutter Willis had once overcome.

“I started noticing that Bruce’s stutter did reappear. I definitely started noticing it rev up a little bit more,” Emma explained.

She also described her husband as seeming less affectionate and emotionally distant, changes that caused confusion in their marriage.

“When I would ask him if he was okay, he would just dismiss it,” she said. “Things got bumpy and very confusing.”

How Willis is doing today

Despite the progression of FTD, Emma says Willis remains in good physical health and is still mobile. The greatest challenges come from his diminishing language and memory.

The family, including his ex-wife Demi Moore and their three older daughters, have had to find new ways of connecting. Even so, Emma says they still see flashes of the man he used to be.

“It’s his laugh,” she said. “Sometimes you’ll see that twinkle in his eye, or that smirk, and I just get transported. But as quickly as those moments appear, they go. It’s hard, but I’m grateful he’s still here.”

Since stepping into the role of full-time carer, Emma has spoken about the isolation and grief she felt in the early stages. She is now sharing her experiences in a new book, The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path.

“Those early stages were deeply isolating,” she said. “I struggled with a sense of powerlessness… while raising our two young daughters.”

Going public with Willis’ diagnosis brought an outpouring of global support that helped her find community and resources.

“Everything changed when I found the right information and support network,” she added. “Even as a care partner, I realized I still had agency. I began to find joy, see beauty, and choose hope.”

As the Willis family continues to adjust, Emma says they focus on treasuring the moments when Bruce’s personality shines through.

While dementia has changed their lives in profound ways, she hopes their story will help other families facing similar struggles feel less alone.