Bruce Willis’ wife Emma Heming slams backlash for moving him into care home: ‘They don’t get a vote’
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Emma Heming Willis is pushing back after facing criticism for opening up about her husband Bruce Willis’ battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
In a recent video posted on social media, Emma, 47, defended her decision to share details from their family’s private journey, including the fact that Bruce now lives in a separate home for his safety and treatment.
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Emma Heming Willis says Bruce Willis moved for safety during FTD care
In her interview with Diane Sawyer for the ABC News special 'Emma and Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey,' Emma revealed that Bruce, 70, now lives separately as part of his treatment plan.
She explained that the move was made to ensure his safety and to better manage the impact of his diagnosis.
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Reflecting on the special, Emma said in her Instagram video, “I think they did a beautiful job with amplifying FTD awareness and shining a spotlight onto caregivers. What I knew is that by sharing some of our intimate information … we’d see these two camps — people with an opinion versus people with an actual experience."
She added, “That is what caregivers are up against: judgment from others and criticism from others.
Emma Heming Willis shares words from 'The Unexpected Journey'
After the special aired, Emma shared a passage from her book 'The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path.'
She read, “Everyone will have an opinion, but you have to remember that most don’t have the experience to back it up. If that’s the case, they shouldn’t offer their two cents about it — and you shouldn’t pay them any mind."
Emma recalled advice she once received from her therapist: “Nothing changes an opinion quite as powerfully as when you have an experience.”
She added, “Even if someone is familiar with dementia … they aren’t in your home. They don’t know how your person is behaving or your family dynamics.
Emma Heming claps back at critics amid Bruce Willis' dementia battle
Emma directly addressed the backlash in her latest video.
“The truth is … the opinions are so loud and they’re so noisy. But if they don’t have the experience of this, they don’t get a say — and they definitely don’t get a vote,” she said.
She also shared a strong caption on Instagram: “Too often, caregivers are judged quickly and unfairly by those who haven’t lived this journey or stood on the front lines of it."
Explaining why she continues to speak out about Bruce’s health, Emma said, "Sharing openly may invite opinions, but more importantly, it creates connection and validation for those actually navigating the realities of caregiving every day. That’s who I share for, and so I can build a deeper connection with a community that understands this journey."
