Diane Sawyer Shares Heartbreaking Memory of Visit With Bruce Willis as He Battles Dementia: ‘He Took My Hand’

Diane Sawyer is cherishing a sweet yet heartbreaking memory with Bruce Willis as he continues his battle with frontotemporal dementia. The beloved journalist, 79, appeared in ABC’s special “Emma and Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey” on August 26, where she sat down with Emma Heming Willis.

(Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

The two sat for a moving conversation about love, family, and how they are navigating the actor’s health journey together.

Diane Recalls Visiting Bruce

Courtesy of: ABC News Studios

While Willis, 70, did not appear on camera, Sawyer revealed she was allowed to visit him privately. “Since friends can come by, Emma gave me a gift. I went to see Bruce without cameras just to honor all of those memories over all those years,” she said in a voiceover as photos of Willis played across the screen.

Emma Heming Willis Shares Their Family’s Routine

Emma explained that Willis lives in a nearby home with a full-time care team, but the family often spends time there together.

“It’s our second home, so the girls have their things there,” she said, referring to daughters Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11. “It is a house that is filled with love and warmth and care and laughter, and it’s been beautiful to see how many of Bruce’s friends continue to show up for him, and they bring in life and fun.”

Sawyer described her own visit, noting a tender exchange. “As we walked up, he seemed happy and, as Emma said, walking, healthy,” she recalled. “We sat on a sofa outside, and at one point, without words, he took my hand. I talked about the old days and saw flashes of that irrepressible smile.”

A Sweet History Between Sawyer & Willis

Over the decades, Sawyer interviewed Willis many times, and their connection became a running joke within the family. During the ABC special, an old clip resurfaced in which Willis asked Sawyer to set him up. “Can’t you find someone for me? Can’t you find me a girl? You just meet so many people,” he teased in the interview, before meeting Emma.

Even after marrying Emma in 2009, Willis often joked that he “always” had a crush on Sawyer. Their lighthearted friendship became a memorable thread in his public life and resurfaced as Sawyer reflected on her private visit.

Emma Provides an Update on Bruce’s Health

Emma also gave viewers an update on Willis’ condition, emphasizing how the family has adapted. “Bruce is still very mobile,” she said. “Bruce is in really great health overall. It’s just his brain that is failing him. The language is going. We’ve learned to adapt, and we have a way of communicating with him, which is just a different way.”

Willis’ family first revealed in 2022 that he had been diagnosed with aphasia, which led him to retire from acting. In 2023, they confirmed his condition had progressed to frontotemporal dementia, a rare disease that affects speech and behavior.

Despite the challenges, Emma shared that Willis remains surrounded by love, with his blended family, including daughters Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah with ex-wife Demi Moore, standing strong by his side.

You can watch Diane Sawyer’s interview with Emma Heming Willis here.

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