Bruce Willis doesn’t know he has dementia, still recognizes family, says wife Emma Heming

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Bruce Willis is living with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), but he is unaware of his diagnosis, his wife Emma Heming Willis revealed during a recent podcast interview. Despite the progression of the disease, Heming said Willis continues to recognize and emotionally connect with his family, offering moments of comfort amidst a challenging diagnosis.

Speaking on ‘The Unexpected Journey’ podcast, Heming explained that Willis’ lack of awareness is not denial, but a neurological condition linked to dementia called anosognosia, where the brain cannot recognize its own illness. She shared that knowing he remains unaware provides some relief, as he is not burdened by the knowledge of his condition.

Emma Heming says Bruce Willis never realized he was sick

Heming spoke about what doctors had explained regarding frontotemporal dementia and its effect on self-awareness. “There is this term, this neurological condition, that comes with FTD and other types of dementia that’s called anosognosia,” she said. “Where your brain can’t identify what is happening to it.”

She clarified that this condition is often mistaken for denial. “People think this might be denial, like where they don’t want to go to the doctor because ‘I’m fine,’” Heming explained. “It’s actually… this is the anosognosia that comes into play.” Willis, she added, never connected the dots about his illness. “Bruce never tapped in. He never connected the dots that he had this disease,” she said.

Bruce Willis still recognizes his wife and children

Despite changes in communication, Heming stressed that Willis continues to connect with his loved ones in meaningful ways. “When someone says to me, ‘Does Bruce still know who you are?’ Yes he does,” she said. “Because he doesn’t have Alzheimer’s, he has FTD.”

Heming explained that his connection with their children and her is different but still beautiful. “He has a way with connecting with me, our children, that might not be the same as you would connect with your loved one but it’s still very beautiful and meaningful,” she said. “It’s just different. You just learn how to adapt."

Family first revealed diagnosis in 2022

The family initially announced Willis’ health struggles in March 2022, revealing he had aphasia, a disorder affecting communication due to brain damage. At that time, they said he would step away from acting. In February 2023, the family updated fans that the condition had progressed to frontotemporal dementia. “While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis,” they wrote.

Emma Heming recalls early warning signs

Heming reflected on early changes in her husband during an ABC News interview. She said Willis, once outgoing and lively, became quieter and withdrawn. “He started acting a little more quiet,” she said. “When the family would get together, he would kind of just melt a little bit.”

Despite cognitive changes, Heming confirmed Willis remains in good physical health. “Bruce is still very mobile. Bruce is in really great health overall,” she said. “It’s just his brain that is failing him.”