Emma Heming Willis is set to publish a new book titled “Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope and Yourself on the Caregiving Path,” which details her experiences caring for her husband, Bruce Willis, who has faced significant health challenges in recent years. The book will officially release on September 9, 2023.
In 2022, Bruce Willis’s family announced his retirement from acting after he was diagnosed with aphasia, a brain disorder that causes difficulties with language and speech. A year after his first diagnosis, his family shared that he had been given a second diagnosis — frontotemporal dementia. This rare but progressive condition affects the front and temporal lobes of the brain and leads to changes in personality, behavior and language.
Emma Heming Willis shared how these diagnoses have taken an emotional toll on their family. She described moments when Bruce appeared distant and uncharacteristically cold, saying, “He felt a little removed, a little cold, not like Bruce who was very warm and very affectionate. To go the complete opposite of that was alarming and scary.”
Even with these obstacles, she was quick to point out that Bruce is still on the go and doing very well health wise. She opened up about how her family struggled with the diagnosis, its burden and pain. Still, they couldn’t help but feel relief at finally having some answers about Louis’ condition. “While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis,” stated Bruce’s family in a joint statement that included his daughters, Emma, and his ex-wife, Demi Moore.
Heming Willis detailed some of the lasting changes to how they communicate that they’ve established in order to reach Bruce as his condition continues to evolve. And go figure, it’s not his body that is failing him, but rather his brain. The language is going. What we’ve figured out is how to make it work. Today, we interact with him in a different manner,” she explained.
In an interview with Diane Sawyer for an ABC special, Emma reflected on the initial panic she felt upon hearing about Bruce’s diagnoses. “I was so panicked and I just remembering hearing it and not hearing anything else,” she said.
As the couple navigates this challenging journey together, Emma hopes that her book will provide insight and support to other caregivers facing similar situations. Through her personal story, her advocacy will focus on creating strength and hope in the caregiving journey by raising awareness and understanding about her life with Bruce.