Bruce Willis has been dealing with health issues since 2022, including aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. Willis has kept a low profile since being diagnosed with aphasia in 2022. His family shared the heartbreaking news that his condition had worsened and that he had been identified as suffering from frontotemporal dementia (FTD) about a year later.
Throughout his sickness, the 68-year-old’s family has attempted to remain strong. Despite this, his wife, Emma Heming Willis, has been candid about her battles to maintain a happy attitude, recently stating that she’s “not good” but puts her “best foot forward for the sake of myself and my family.”
What is wrong with Bruce Willis?
In February 2023, Bruce’s wife, his ex-wife Demi Moore, and their three daughters, Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah, learned that Bruce’s health was deteriorating. In a collective Instagram post, the five women stated that the actor’s aphasia diagnosis had regrettably advanced into frontotemporal dementia or FTD.
What is frontotemporal dementia (FTD)?
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, FTD is a group of conditions characterized by progressive nerve cell loss in the frontal and temporal regions of the brain. Damage to nerve cells caused by frontotemporal dementia results in a loss of function in these brain regions, which can cause variable deterioration in personality, behavior, and/or the ability to produce or comprehend language.
FTD symptoms emerge gradually and steadily and may include significant behavioral changes such as cursing, impaired judgment, emotional separation from others, loss of energy, and less frequent speech. There are no specific therapies for FTD, which worsens over time and varies in speed from person to person.
When did Bruce Willis’ health battle start?
Bruce’s family announced in March 2022 that he would retire from acting because of aphasia, a disorder caused by damage to a specific brain region that regulates language expression and comprehension, rendering a person incapable of interacting with others effectively.
Demi shared a statement signed by the entire family: “To Bruce’s incredible supporters, we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been enduring health issues and was recently diagnosed with aphasia, which is affecting his cognitive abilities.”
Willis and his treatment options
Bruce Willis’ dementia prognosis was revealed earlier this year, with an expert later confirming that there are “no treatment options” left for the Hollywood icon.