Originally appeared on E! Online
Emma Heming Willis had a sixth sense she would need to push back against the critics.
After the 47-year-old revealed in the ABC documentary special Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey that her husband Bruce Willis is living in a separate home due to his frontotemporal dementia (FTD) battle, she addressed the negative comments she received for living apart.
“What I knew is that by sharing some of our intimate information that we would see these two camps,” Emma said in an Aug. 29 Instagram video. “It would be people with an opinion versus people with an actual experience.”
Noting that those with an opinion were “quick” to criticize, she added, “That is what caregivers are up against. Judgement from others.”
Amid the backlash, Emma—who shares daughters Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11, with Bruce—explained that she re-read a section from her upcoming book to encourage herself.
“Everyone will have an opinion, but you have to remind yourself that most don’t have the experience to back it up,” she shared. “Even if someone is closely familiar with dementia or the condition you are caring for, they aren’t in your home, so they don’t know how your person is behaving or your family dynamics.”
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She concluded, “The truth is that the opinions are so loud and they’re so noisy. But if they don’t have the experience of this, they don’t get a say, and they definitely don’t get a vote.”
Meanwhile, Emma described in the ABC special that Bruce—who is also dad to daughters Rumer Willis, 36, Scout Willis, 33, and Tallulah Willis, 31, with ex-wife Demi Moore—receives around-the-clock care and is visited by his family and friends constantly.
Emma Heming Willis/Instagram
“It’s our second home, so the girls have their things there,” she told Diane Sawyer in the TV interview. “It is a house that is filled with love and warmth and care and laughter. It’s been beautiful to see that—to see how many of Bruce’s friends continue to show up for him. They bring in life and fun.”
And despite it being “one of the hardest decisions” Emma has had to make during Bruce’s treatment—and one she made due to FTD patients being triggered by loud noises, which are more frequent in their home with kids—she is focused on the positives.
Mediapunch/Shutterstock
“When we are with him, he lights up,” she explained. “He’s holding our hands, we’re kissing him. We’re hugging him. He is reciprocating. He is into it.”
Emma continued, “That’s all I need. I don’t need him to know that I am his wife, we were married on this day. I don’t need any of that. I just want to feel that I have a connection with him, and I do.”
Read on for more of Bruce’s most special moments with his family.
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.
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