Celebrating 17 years of marriage looks different for the star of Pulp Fiction and Die Hard, and Emma Heming Willis, than you might think.
“I was created to love him,” wrote the famous actor's wife alongside a photo she shared on Instagram for their anniversary. The picture shows the couple on their wedding day at the beach, with Willis holding his wife in his arms as they gaze lovingly at each other.
Seventeen years ago, they promised to love each other in sickness and in health, and they’ve kept that promise. In 2022, the actor was diagnosed with a speech and comprehension disorder known as aphasia. It later turned out that this was caused by a serious condition called frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which affects communication, personality, and behavior.
Emma didn't leave her husband after the diagnosis. In fact, she became not only his partner but also his caregiver. She even wrote a book about the challenges of his illness titled The Unexpected Journey. “I wrote the book I wished I had on the day we got the diagnosis,” she explained.
Moving Challenges
The actor’s family stayed by his side, though there was a small change. Bruce Willis no longer lives in the same house with his wife and daughters. “It was the hardest thing we had to do,” admitted Emma Heming Willis. His condition requires a calm environment, and the actor didn't want his daughters to have to adjust to living in silence, so he chose to move out.
Now, the actor is settled in a single-story home, cared for by a team of caregivers. The family spends a lot of time there, too. “We're there quite often. It’s our second home, so the girls have their things there,” says Emma.
