Fans were surprised when Demi Moore announced that her ex-husband Bruce Willis was diagnosed with Aphasia — a cognitive decline mainly affecting speech. "To Bruce's amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities," the Striptease star wrote on Instagram, adding that the Sixth Sense actor is officially quitting Hollywood.
"As a result of this and with much consideration, Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him," Moore continued. "This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support. We are moving through this as a strong family unit and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him. As Bruce always says, 'Live it up' and together we plan to do just that." Willis' wife, Emma Heming Willis has also been keeping fans updated on the actor's journey. But recently, she said it has taken a "toll" on her mental health. Here's how she is these days.
How Did Bruce Willis & Emma Heming Willis Meet?
According to her website, Heming Willis met her then-future husband in 2007 in their "mutual trainer's gym." At the time, she was a model who's walked the runway for major fashion houses like Chanel, Valentino, Dior, and even Victoria's Secret. "I was also the face of campaigns for Dior cosmetics and commercials for Clairol and Redken," she wrote on her website. "I had the good fortune to work with some of the best and most gifted photographers in the business such as Patrick Demarchelier, Annie Lebowitz, Steven Klein, and Tyen, to name a few."
In 2009, the couple tied the knot in Willis' home in Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos. Three years later, they welcomed their first daughter Mabel Ray. Their second daughter, Evelyn Penn was born in 2014. In March 2021, the couple celebrated their 12-year wedding anniversary. "Boy I sure do love this guy to the moon and back! Even though there's been times I would have loved to take him to the moon, drop him off, and come back solo! That's what 12 years of marriage looks like, right?" the former model wrote on Instagram at the time.
"But he is my person. There's no one I would want to go through this crazy thing called marriage with than with him," Heming Willis continued. "He's my family, he's given me the family (and more) I dreamed of and I love him to my core. Happy 12th anniversary, my sweet." The year they got married, Willis said that he "went from 'F--- love' to 'Love is truly the answer.'" He even admitted to having "sickening" PDAs with his wife. "We're sickening. We make out in public," he shared. "I know there's some rule that you're not supposed to be doing — what is it? Public displays of affection?"
Is Bruce Willis' Wife Emma Heming Willis Close To His Ex Demi Moore?
Moore previously said on Instagram that Heming Willis is like a sister to her. The actress described the latter as "a beautiful mother dedicated to her family, an absolutely gorgeous woman." Speaking of their sisterhood, she wrote: "@emmahemingwillis: I #SeeHer as family who I am honored to call a friend. Our children are sisters and yet there is no name for what our family connection is to one another. We are mothers united, sisters bonded on this crazy adventure of life."
Heming Willis also made sure that Moore was there when she and the Die Hard actor renewed their vows in 2019. "She welcomed me into her family like I welcomed her into ours," said the model-turned-entrepreneur. "I have so much respect for how Bruce and Demi worked through their divorce to be able to put their children first. I learned so much from that and grew so much from watching that. It was important for her to be there."
How Is Bruce Willis' Wife Emma Heming Willis These Days?
Recently, Heming Willis told The Bump that she's been putting her family first these days. "I struggle with making the time for self-care every day. I put my family's needs above my own, which I found does not make me any kind of hero," she confessed. "That amount of care for everyone else within my household had taken a toll on my mental health and overall health, and it served no one in my family."
"Someone told me not long ago that when you over-care for someone, you end up under-caring for yourself. That stopped me in my tracks and really resonated with me," she continued. "I don't mother myself perfectly, but I know that I have some basic baseline needs that are a must, like first and foremost, exercise. It's a time I can disconnect and can do something that I know makes me feel good overall. I think it's important to find that one thing that makes you feel good and build from there."
Now, it seems like the mother-of-two has found a balance between self-care and much-needed family time amid Willis' condition. "The girls bring so much love, laughter, and life into our home. For us as a family, it's always been about making memories," Heming Willis explained. "I'm not even sure we have rituals or traditions. We just love spending time with each other, and we know that time is precious, and I don't take that for granted."