In a powerful new interview, Diane Sawyer sits down with Emma Heming Willis to reflect on her familyâs journey since her husband, iconic actor Bruce Willis, 2022 frontotemporal dementia diagnosis.
The ABC News special not only explores life with the beloved actor today, but also spotlights Heming Willisâ new book, ‘The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path,’ which she hopes will serve as a guide for millions of families caring for loved ones with dementia.
âBruce is still very mobile. Bruce is in really great health overall, you know,â Heming Willis says in a preview that aired on Good Morning America. âItâs just his brain that is failing him.â
Bruce Willisâ Health Journey
Willisâ family revealed his diagnosis in 2023, confirming he was battling frontotemporal dementia, a condition that affects behavior and language. For Willis, 70, the most visible symptom has been the loss of language.
âThe language is going, and, you know, weâve learned to adapt,â Heming Willis shares. âAnd we have a way of communicating with him, which is just a ⦠different way.â
She added that, despite challenges, their daughters still get moments of joy with their father: âItâs his laugh, right? Like, he has such, like, a hearty laugh. And, you know, sometimes youâll see that twinkle in his eye, or that smirk, and, you know, I just get, like, transported.â
How & When to Watch the Special
“Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey” â A Diane Sawyer Special airs Tuesday, August 26, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. If you miss the broadcast, the special will be available to stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu. It will also be shown on ABC News Live, with streaming options through services that carry ABC, such as FuboTV.
‘Emma and Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey’: What Will The Special Be About?
Courtesy of: ABC News StudiosExperts interviewed in the special, including neurologists and caregiving advocates, shed light on the realities of dementia and the toll it takes on both patients and families.
Raising Awareness & Finding Hope
(Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)Heming Willis admits she initially tried to take on the role of caregiver alone, even isolating the family to make life more comfortable for Willis. That experience motivated her to advocate for more resources for caregivers and inspired her to share their story publicly.
Through it all, she has found gratitude in the moments Willis is still very present. âItâs just hard to see, because as quickly as those moments appear, then it goes. Itâs hard. But Iâm grateful. Iâm grateful that my husband is still very much here,â she says.
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