Bruce Willis' wife posted a rare photo of the 71-year-old actor.

The wife of American actor Bruce Willis, Emma Heming, posted on social media a rare photo of the 71-year-old actor suffering from frontotemporal dementia (LVD). The publication is timed to coincide with the World Awareness Week about this Disease.

In the picture, Willis is depicted in a dark hat and a white T-shirt decorated with drawings. According to media reports, the images on the clothes were left by the granddaughter of actor Louetta Eisley Thomas, who was born on April 18, 2023 in the family of the eldest daughter of the artist Rumer and her former partner, musician Derek Richard Thomas.

"He is the main driving force behind my social activities. Thanks to him, so many doors have opened for me in this area, and I will continue to follow this path. I will not allow his diagnosis to be in vain. I know how proud he would be to help families who are faced with HD and other forms of dementia, as well as those who care for them," wrote 50—year-old Heming on her Instagram page (owned by Meta, which is recognized as extremist and banned in Russia).

She added that at this stage of his life, Bruce Willis continues to create his legacy and will forever remain a legend. Heming stressed that she is sincerely proud to be the wife of an actor.

Currently, the 71-year-old actor lives separately from his wife and their two common daughters, 14—year-old Mabel and 12-year-old Evelyn. According to Far Out Magazine, Emma Heming herself made the decision to move Willis to a separate apartment in order to provide her husband with round-the-clock professional care from a team of specialists. According to his wife, the actor himself is not aware of his diagnosis due to the specific features of the development of the disease.

Bruce Willis Disease

The health problems of the "Die Hard" star began several years ago. In 2022, he was diagnosed with aphasia, a speech disorder that forced him to officially end his acting career. In 2023, doctors clarified the diagnosis, revealing frontotemporal dementia. According to the NY Post, the actor's relatives noticed a deterioration in his condition even before the final diagnosis. Emma Heming noted that the first symptoms manifested themselves in speech changes, which the family initially mistook for an exacerbation of his childhood stuttering.

Bruce Willis and Emma Heming married in 2009, and in 2019 re-pair exchanged vows surrounded by family and friends. Prior to that, from 1987 to 2000, the actor was married to Demi Moore, with whom he has three adult daughters — Rumer, Scout and Tallulah. Despite the divorce, the former spouses maintain friendly relations and jointly support the actor during his serious illness.

What is known about frontotemporal dementia

Frontotemporal dementia is the result of damage to neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to their gradual atrophy. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, approximately 60% of people with this diagnosis are between the ages of 45 and 64. The first signs of the disease usually include pronounced speech problems, behavioral changes, and passivity. Previously sociable and enthusiastic, Willis became silent and distant, however, according to his wife, sometimes there come moments when he becomes like his former self.

At the moment, there are no effective ways to treat HD. Therapy is aimed solely at managing symptoms, as medicine does not yet have methods that can stop the progression of the disease.