Rumer Willis Shares Heartbreaking Update on Bruce Willisâ Battle with Dementia
Rumer Willis opened up to fans about her father, Bruce Willis, as he continues to face the challenges of a rare form of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) called primary progressive aphasia (PPA).
On Thursday, the 37-year-old actress took to her Instagram Story to answer questions from her followers. One fan asked, âHowâs your dad doing?â prompting Rumer to admit, âPeople always ask me this question.â She explained that itâs a difficult topic to address: âThe truth is, anybody with FTD is not doing great.â
Despite the challenges, Rumer said that Bruce, 70, is âdoing OK in terms of somebody whoâs dealing with frontotemporal dementia.â She emphasized that her perspective is shaped by the circumstances of the disease, but she feels âso happy and gratefulâ to still be able to âhug him.â Even if he doesnât fully recognize her, she believes he ârecognizes the love,â which she deeply feels in return.
Rumer noted that although Bruce isnât the same dad she once knew, she can still see âa spark of him,â which brings her comfort. She also cherishes the moments when she can bring her 2-year-old daughter, Louetta, to visit her grandfather.
Bruceâs FTD diagnosis was publicly revealed in February 2023, following the familyâs announcement in March 2022 that he had aphasia and would be retiring from acting. In August, his wife Emma Heming shared that she had made the difficult decision to move Bruce into a separate home to ensure he receives round-the-clock care in a safe and peaceful environment. Responding to critics who questioned the move, Heming stated, âIf they donât have the experience of this, they donât get a say â and they definitely donât get a vote.â
Heming, 47, added last month that the new arrangement has been beneficial for the entire family, allowing their daughters, Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11, to enjoy their childhood freely. She clarified that living separately doesnât mean being apart, as she still spends much of her time with Bruce, and the girls keep belongings at his nearby home.
Bruce shares Rumer, 34-year-old Scout Willis, and 31-year-old Tallulah Willis with his first wife, Demi Moore, 63.


