Bruce Willis’ spouse discusses the reasons for his separate living arrangement following dementia diagnosis

Bruce Willis’ wife has revealed why the famed Die Hard actor is now residing separately from her and their children following his dementia diagnosis.

In 2022, Willis decided to retire from acting, and in 2023, his family disclosed that he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD).

FTD is a rare form of dementia that affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, impacting behavior and language capabilities. The condition affects over 55 million people globally, and unfortunately, there is no cure available.

Willis’ family members have been open about his health status, providing updates on his condition over recent months and years.

Emma Heming Willis, his wife, has shared insights into their family life, including the current living arrangement after Willis transitioned to a second residence away from their children Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11.

She described this decision as one of the ‘hardest’ the family has made, stating: “Bruce would want that for our daughters. He would want them to be in a home that was more tailored to their needs, not his needs.”

Currently, the actor is residing in a single-story home with a dedicated care team as his condition progresses.

Willis shared: “When we go over, either we’re outside, or we’re watching a movie…it’s just really about being able to be there, and connect with Bruce.”

“It is a house filled with love, warmth, care, and laughter. And it’s been beautiful to observe, to see how many of Bruce’s friends continue to show up for him, bringing life and fun,” she added.

During the conversation, Willis also highlighted some of the early signs of dementia she observed.

One significant change was in his daily routine, as Willis noted: “He would always love taking the girls to school. And then those school runs just started to not happen as much.”

Instead of fulfilling his usual parental responsibilities, Willis found her husband often choosing to ‘say nothing’.

“For someone who was very talkative and engaged, he became a bit more reserved, and during family gatherings, he would kind of just melt a little bit,” she continued.

Another concerning symptom was his struggle with speech, as a childhood stutter reemerged.

Willis had previously shared in a biography about battling a speech impediment during his youth, describing how he could ‘hardly talk’.

Reflecting on the situation, Willis stated: “I started noticing that Bruce’s stutter did reappear. I definitely started noticing it rev up a little bit more.”

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