Emma Heming Willis Shares Emotional Anniversary Post for Husband Bruce Willis: '30 Minutes to Sit in the 'Why Him, Why Us'

Mar. 15, 2025

Emma Heming Willis.Photo:Michael Loccisano/WWD via Getty

Michael Loccisano/WWD via Getty

Emma Heming Willisis celebrating 17 years of love with husbandBruce Willis.

“17 years of us ❤️,” Emma, 46, began her message before going on to express some of the emotional complexities of their situation.

“Anniversaries used to bring excitement,” she continued. “Now, if I’m honest, they stir up all the feelings, leaving a heaviness in my heart and a pit in my stomach. I give myself 30 minutes to sit in the ‘why him, why us,’ to feel the anger and grief. Then I shake it off and return to what is. And what is… is unconditional love. I feel blessed to know it, and it’s because of him. I’d do it all over again and again in a heartbeat 💞.”

In 2022, Bruce’s family announced that the actor had been diagnosed with the language disorderaphasiaand would be stepping away from acting. In 2023, they shared that he had received a more specific diagnosis offrontotemporal dementia (FTD), a progressive condition which causes thefrontal and temporal lobes of the brainto atrophy. This, in turn, can cause issues with speech, emotional problems and changes in personality.

Since the diagnosis, Emma has been open with fans about their experience as a family, and specifically as an advocate for fellow caregivers. Ina messageposted on her Instagram Stories in March 2023, she shared that she had been “crying all morning” ahead of her husband’s birthday.

“I just think it’s important that you see all sides of this,” she said in the video. “I always get this message or people always tell me, ‘Oh, you’re so strong. I don’t know how you do it.’ I’m not given a choice. I wish I was, but I’m also raising two kids in this.”

Bruce Willis and Emma Heming Willis in 2019.Dia Dipasupil/WireImage

Dia Dipasupil/WireImage

However, the mom of two — she shares Mabel, 12, and Evelyn, 10, with Bruce — has also made it clear that she is choosing to live in the now and finding the gifts in each day.

“Father’s Day is a time I get to reflect on my deep appreciation and respect I have for Bruce as I watch him father our little ones,” Emma wrote in a Father’s Day post last year.

“Where it might not be ‘conventional,’ what he’s teaching them will span generations,” she continued. “Unconditional love, kindness, strength, compassion, patience, generosity, resilience. Happy Father’s Day to the greatest dad I know, who will forever be the gift that keeps giving within our family.”

Eager to share information she’s learned through her caregiving journey, as well as resources to help others who find themselves in similar situations, Emma said at the time: “For me knowledge is power, and building a supportive community around me has been vital… Identifying the right resources to educate and enlighten myself has been powerful and has allowed me the space to continue to move forward in the most positive way so that I can be the best mother, wife, daughter, friend and care partner.”

She added, “I want to be able to share that with the next person who finds themselves here.”

From left: Rumer Willis, Demi Moore, Bruce Willis, Scout Willis, Emma Heming Willis and Tallulah Willis.

Bruce’s ex-wifeDemi Moorehas also rallied around theDie Hardactor amid his FTD diagnosis, often expressing similar sentiments.

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While speaking at the2024 Hamptons International Film Festivalin October,The Substanceactress, 62, said she tries to meet Bruce where he is on any given day, adding, “When you’re holding on to what was, I think it’s a losing game. But when you show up to meet them where they’re at, there is great beauty and sweetness.”

Bruce and Moore share daughtersRumer,36,Scout, 33, andTallulah, 30, as well as granddaughterLou, 20 months.

source: people.com