Bruce Willis and Emma Heming Willis’ children are grappling with their new reality.
Almost three years after the Die Hard star was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Emma shared an update on how their daughters Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11, are navigating their father’s illness.
“I think they’re doing well, all things considered,” she told Vogue Australia in an interview published Oct. 10. “But it’s hard. They grieve. They miss their dad so much. He’s missing important milestones. That’s tough for them.”
“But kids are resilient,” she said, before adding, “I used to hate hearing that because people didn’t understand what we were walking through. I don’t know if my kids will ever bounce back. But they’re learning, and so am I.”
Emma, 47, also shared how she has adapted in the years since Bruce—who is also dad to daughters Rumer Willis, 37, Scout Willis, 34, and Tallulah Willis, 31, with ex-wife Demi Moore—received his FTD diagnosis at age 67 in 2023 after previously being diagnosed with aphasia.
“I’ve had to learn to walk alongside the grief,” the former model said. “It’s always with me. I can’t shake it, but I'm going to breathe, and I'm going to be sad and all the feelings and emotions that I’m going to feel, but I am also not going to just allow it to be this one note of that.”
She added, “For me, the grief I feel over what’s happening is rooted in the deep love I have for Bruce and my family. There is so much beauty in that. And here’s the truth: no one in this world will escape grief—it’s a universal part of loving and living.”
Emma—who has channeled part of her grief into a book for caregivers called The Unexpected Journey—also shared a concept that has resonated with her during their family’s journey.
“My stepdaughter Scout quotes in the book, ‘Grief is the price we pay for loving someone so deeply,’” she recalled. “And she’s right.”
And part of the way Evelyn and Mabel are holding onto their love for the father, Emma shared, is keeping a notebook of words and memories from time spent with him.
“You think you’ll never forget these things,” she reflected, “but then you do.”
As for how her husband of more than 15 years is doing today, he’s still laughing and smiling, according to Emma, and still has “that twinkle.”
“There are just beautiful moments that exist,” she emphasized. “And I don’t want people to dismiss that, to know that we still have joy and we still have laughter in our lives with Bruce.”
For more of Bruce’s sweetest moments with his family, read on.
Blended Family
Bruce Willis stepped out with wife Emma Hemming Willis to celebrate the release of ex Demi Moore's 2019 memoir Inside Out. He was joined by his three daughters with the G.I. Jane actress, Rumer Willis, Scout Willis and Tallulah Willis.
Adventure Is Out There
In 2021, Bruce and Emma went on a hike with their daughters Evelyn Willis and Mabel Willis.
Big 7-0
In March 2025, Demi posted this family photo of herself with Bruce and Tallulah. "Quality time with our BW," she wrote in celebration of the actor's 70th birthday. "Who was feeling the love! Keep it pouring in!"
Heap of Love
Bruce received a big cuddle from his three oldest daughters and Demi in 2025.
Daddio's Little Girl
"Oh Daddio, to be loved by you is such a gift," Rumer wrote in an Instagram tribute to her father in March 2024. "You are the funniest, most tender, charming, out of this world silly talented and magical papa. Looking through these photos this morning I am just filled with the deepest gratitude that we chose to spend this life together. I am your first baby and man sometimes I wish I could be tiny enough to just cozy up on your chest again and laugh and cuddle you."
Tallulah's 30th Birthday
In February 2024, Demi shared this pic of her ex-husband with the youngest of the three daughters they share together, writing, "Showering our @buuski with love today on her 30th birthday."
"Grateful and Thankful"
In November 2023, the actor celebrated his first Thanksgiving since being diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia earlier that year. His wife Emma shared this photo from Bruce's 68th birthday party from March.
"I’m grateful and thankful to know this kind of love," she wrote. "Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving."
All Smiles
The actor posed with his ex-wife and their daughters Rumer and Tallulah backstage at his Comedy Central roast in 2018.
Three Generations
Bruce became a grandpa in April 2023 when Rumer welcomed a baby girl named Louetta.
Newest Addition
The entire family got together to celebrate the birth of Rumer's baby.
Backstage Buddies
Bruce had two special vistors when he starred in Broadway's Misery in 2016.
Broadway Bunch
The family showed up in full force to support Rumer's 2015 Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago.
Feeling Festive
"I put my camera on a ladder, set the timer, and crossed my fingers," Emma captioned this family Christmas photo. "Now that’s 2020 for you."
Movie Date
Bruce took his three oldest daughters to the Over the Hedge premiere in 2006.
Sweet Kisses
The dad of five shared a sweet moment with daughter Mabel.
Giving Back
Tallulah, Scout and Rumer joined their dad at a Bruce Willis Charity Foundation in 2005.
Dancing With the Fam
The family celebrated Rumer's Dancing With the Stars win with Val Chmerkovskiy.
Polaroid Memories
"What a privilege it is every day to be your daughter," Rumer captioned this throwback photo. "I love you so much. You are the coolest cat in town."
A Birthday to Remember
Emma rang in her 43rd birthday in 2021 with Bruce and their daughters, as well as Rumer and Demi.
'Tis the Season
The family spent Christmas 2022 together.
Star Status
Bruce was joined by mom Marlene and his three oldest daughters when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006.
Happy Haunts
The action star dressed up with Mabel and Evelyn on Halloween 2021.
Getting Silly
Tallulah jokingly captioned this photo of herself and dad Bruce making silly faces, "high drama club."
Snow Squad
Evelyn and Mabel hit the slopes during a family ski trip.
Gang's All Here
The family, including Demi's then-husband Ashton Kutcher, stepped out to watch Rumer in 2008's The House Bunny.
Disney Magic
Bruce and Emma took their kids to Walt Disney World in 2017.
Proud Parents
"First time performing in a play for these two!" Emma wrote on Instagram 2018. "Mabel played Molly and Evelyn as Sandy in an Off-off-off-off-off-off Broadway [winking emoji] production of Annie. The whole cast and production was stellar—Mom and Dad couldn’t be prouder."