Rumer Willis reveals ‘huge win’ amid Bruce Willis dementia battle
The actress says her father still smiles when he sees his family as she opens up about appreciating their time together following his FTD diagnosis.
Rumer Willis is cherishing every moment with her father Bruce Willis as he lives with frontotemporal dementia.
Revealing seeing his granddaughter Louetta can still bring a smile to the Die Hard star’s face, the 38-year-old actress – the eldest daughter of Bruce, 71, and Demi Moore, 63 – spoke to People about how she is dealing with her dad’s health fight while discussing her partnership with health membership company Function.
Bruce’s family announced in 2022 he was stepping away from acting after an aphasia diagnosis, before revealing in 2023 that his condition had progressed and he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, known as FTD.
Rumer said: “What’s been interesting having a family member with dementia, it’s like, he’s happy. As well as someone could be doing, given the circumstances, he’s doing well.
“When I get to see him, he sees me and (Rumer’s daughter) Louetta and he starts smiling. So, there’s so much love and joy and tenderness that still exists there. And in terms of that, I would say that’s a huge win.”
She added: “And the fact that we still have him, you know?”
Rumer, who shares three-year-old Louetta with former partner Derek Richard Thomas, 41, added navigating dementia can be a “mystery” because of the different ways the disease affects people.
She said: “The most important thing for me is that I’m so grateful that I have this time with him for however many years it may be.
“I’m grateful that he seems generally wonderful and, given all of the givens of our situation, that our family is just so loving and together.”
Bruce’s wife Emma Heming Willis, 48, has also continued to speak publicly about FTD and caring for the actor.
Bruce remains one of Hollywood’s most recognisable action stars after becoming internationally famous as John McClane in 1988’s Die Hard.
His other major films include Pulp Fiction, The Sixth Sense, 12 Monkeys, Armageddon, The Fifth Element, Unbreakable and The Last Boy Scout.
The Willis family has continued to mark major occasions together.
Bruce recently attended the Idaho wedding of his daughter Tallulah Willis to musician Justin Acee, while Rumer has previously spoken about how grateful she is Louetta has been able to develop a relationship with her grandfather.
Rumer’s experience of her father’s illness has also prompted her to examine her own long-term health. Through Function, which offers more than 160 lab tests, imaging services and specialist assessments, she underwent APOE genetic testing to assess her risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Rumer said the “driving force” behind becoming more proactive about her health was wanting to remain present for Louetta “as long as possible”.
She said: “I feel like sometimes we walk into a doctor’s office and it’s about a five-minute visit. How can you even begin to answer questions or even ask them when you only have that short amount of time?
“Function is just a perfect first step for anyone who wants to make an investment in their health and their longevity.”
Rumer added: “I wanna be as healthy as possible for as long as possible. I don’t think it’s really an option anymore to not be proactive about it.”
