Bruce Willis’s family are spending as much time with the former movie star as possible, fully aware that any day could be his “last”, according to reports.
The public was made aware of the Die Hard star’s frontotemporal dementia diagnosis earlier this year in February – prior to that, Willis had been diagnosed with aphasia in 2022.
Sadly, the degenerative nature of Bruce’s condition means that his health issues only seem to be getting worse as time goes on. A close friend of the actor’s revealed last month that he is no longer “totally verbal”, while Bruce’s wife, Emma Heming Willis, now serves as his full-timecarer.
Since the Willis family’s disclosure that he was suffering with dementia, they’ve been extremely open regarding regular updates on the 68-year-old’s condition.
Last month, his youngest daughter Tallulah Willis appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show to discuss her father‘s condition and why their family decided to be so open about his health.
“On one hand, it’s who we are as a family,” the 29-year-old told Barrymore. “But also, it’s really important for us to spread awareness about FTD because there’s not enough information out there.”
“The bigger version of what I’m trying to do (is) if we can take something that we’re struggling with as a family and individually and help other people to turn it around, to make something beautiful about it, that’s really special for us,” Tallulah said.
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 09: Bruce Willis and Emma Heming seen at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 9, 2016 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Team GT/GC Images)
“What’s going on with my dad — he has a really aggressive cognitive disease, a form of dementia that’s very rare.”
In late November, around Thanksgiving, Bruce’s middle daughter Scott LaRue posted videos of her father that were met with some criticism.
In the first snap, Scout stretched out her hand to Bruce, who looked a shadow of his former self. She later posted another video of her hand lying in his right hand, with the actor appearing distracted and not looking at the camera.
People took to the comments section to ask Bruce’s family to give him privacy. “I feel like we shouldnt see him like this… He isnt a public Figuren [sic] anymore and deserves peace and privacy,” one person wrote.
Another agreed, adding: “I feel like since his diagnosis. Suddenly we’re seeing all these vulnerable videos of him that should be private.”
Sadly, fronotemporal dementia has a typical life expectancy of between six to eight years, according to reports. In some cases, however, it can be as low as two years.
Speaking to US Weekly, a source close to the Willis family divulged that Bruce’s nearest and dearest are spending as much time as possible by his side as they have no idea how long he has left.
“Bruce has good days and bad days, but in the last two months, there are many more bad days than good,” the source claimed.
“This experience has brought the whole family even closer together. No one knows how much time Bruce has left, so they’re soaking up every moment they get with him. Bruce has around-the-clock care, but at least one family member is always with him.”
Another source is said to have added that Bruce’s wife and children want to be close to him at all times, so at the moment they’re practically all living together.
“They’re all there all the time. Once Bruce was diagnosed, everyone came together to keep his memory of the family intact and to be there as a constant reminder they love him. Everything revolves around him.”
Bruce’s daughter Rumer, meanwhile, is said to bring her eight-month-old daughter, Louetta, to see her grandfather whenever possible.
The second source went on: “Rumer wants to make sure Louetta knows Bruce. She wants him to be actively involved in Louetta’s life. It’s a very special bond.
“Rumer and her sisters love their dad so much. They are very conscious that any day could be his last.”
Our hearts break for the close friends and family of Bruce Willis. Here’s to wishing him well moving forward.
