Bruce Willis Diagnosed With Frontotemporal Dementia: Health Update

Brentwood, CA - *EXCLUSIVE* - Actor Bruce Willis has an alfresco lunch on the patio of The Italian restaurant “Divino” with a friend in Brentwood. Pictured: Bruce Willis BACKGRID USA 15 MAY 2022 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients - Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication* — Image Credit: BACKGRID

Bruce Willis‘ health has worsened, his family revealed on Feb. 16, when they released a lengthy statement detailing the actor’s “painful” new diagnosis. This heartbreaking news comes just one year after the 67-year-old retired Die Hard actor first announced his battle with aphasia.

“As a family, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for the outpouring of love and compassion for Bruce over the past ten months. Your generosity of spirit has been overwhelming, and we are tremendously grateful for it. For your kindness, and because we know you love Bruce as much as we do, we wanted to give you an update,” the family said in a statement on the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration website. “Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”

Bruce and Demi were married from 1987 until 2000. (Shutterstock)

The statement, which was signed by Willis’ ex-wife, Demi Moore, his current wife, Emma Heming, and all of his daughters continued, “FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone. For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know. Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. As Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research. Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately. We know in our hearts that – if he could today — he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.”

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“Ours is just one family with a loved one who suffers from FTD, and we encourage others facing it to seek out the wealth of information and support available through AFTD (@theaftd, theaftd.org). And for those of you who have been fortunate enough to not have any personal experience with FTD, we hope that you will take the time to learn about it, and support AFTD’s mission in whatever way you can. Bruce has always found joy in life – and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us. We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible.”

Bruce Willis has five daughters in total — Rumer Willis, 34, Tallulah Willis, 29, Scout Willis, 31, Mabel Willis, 10, and Evelyn Willis, 8 — sharing three with Demi and two with Emma.