Bruce Willis Is Now Living in a Separate One-Story Home as Part of His Dementia Care, Says Wife Emma Heming Willis

Bruce Willis has entered a new chapter in his life as he continues to live with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), according to his wife, Emma Heming Willis.

In a deeply personal and emotional update shared in a new ABC special, Emma & Bruce Willis:

The Unexpected Journey, Emma spoke candidly about the difficult decisions their family has had to make in order to prioritize Bruce’s health, safety, and dignity, while also protecting the well-being of their children.

In the special, which aired on August 26, Emma revealed that Bruce is now living in a separate, one-story home located close to the family residence.

The decision, she explained, was not about separation in the emotional sense, but about ensuring that Bruce receives the best possible care in an environment that accommodates the realities of his condition.

“One of the hardest decisions”

Emma described the move as one of the hardest decisions she has faced since her husband’s diagnosis. Bruce, best known for his iconic roles in films such as Die Hard, Pulp Fiction, and The Sixth Sense, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2023.

This diagnosis came less than a year after the family first disclosed that he had aphasia, a neurological disorder that affects language and communication.

Since stepping away from acting and withdrawing from public life, updates about Bruce’s condition have been understandably limited.

Emma explained that much of the family’s journey has unfolded privately, away from public scrutiny, as they learn to adapt to the progression of a disease that remains poorly understood by many.

In the ABC interview with Diane Sawyer, Emma shared that the decision to move Bruce into a nearby home was guided by a single, central priority: their daughters.

Bruce and Emma share two children, Mabel Ray, 13, and Evelyn Penn, 11. According to Emma, Bruce would have wanted their lives to remain as stable, joyful, and age-appropriate as possible.

“I knew, first and foremost, Bruce would want that for our daughters,” Emma said. “He would want them to be in a home that was more tailored to their needs, not his needs.”

Why a separate home became necessary As Bruce’s condition progressed, the family learned more about how environmental factors can affect individuals living with dementia.

Emma explained that noise, stimulation, and changes in routine can sometimes agitate Bruce and make daily life more challenging for him.

The family ultimately decided, “some time ago,” to create a quieter, more controlled environment where Bruce could feel calm and safe.

The one-story layout of the home was chosen deliberately, reducing the risk of falls and allowing caregivers to better support his mobility.

While the move was rooted in care and compassion, it also came with emotional costs. Emma shared that, for a period of time, the change meant their daughters could no longer host playdates or sleepovers at the family home.

“I didn’t know if parents would feel comfortable leaving their kid at our home,” Emma explained. “I isolated our whole family, and that was by design. That was a hard time.”

She acknowledged how painful it was to balance her role as a caregiver with her role as a mother, especially when those responsibilities seemed to pull her in different directions.

A ‘second home’ filled with love

Despite living separately, Emma emphasized that Bruce’s new residence is not a place of isolation. On the contrary, she described it as a second home for the entire family, one that remains filled with warmth, love, and connection.

“We’re there a lot,” Emma said. “It’s our second home, so the girls have their things there.”

She added that the atmosphere in the house is intentionally positive and nurturing. Friends continue to visit Bruce, bringing laughter, companionship, and a sense of normalcy into his daily life.

“It is a house that is filled with love and warmth and care and laughter,” Emma shared. “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.”

This continued presence of loved ones, Emma suggested, has been an important source of comfort—not only for Bruce, but for the entire family.

Living with frontotemporal dementia

Frontotemporal dementia is a condition that affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, often impacting behavior, personality, communication, and decision-making. Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, FTD can appear at a younger age and may progress differently from person to person.

In Bruce’s case, the disease has significantly affected his ability to communicate. Earlier this year, reports citing a source close to the family suggested that Bruce’s appetite had decreased and that he no longer expresses hunger as he once did.

The source said the family’s daily challenge includes ensuring that he eats regularly and maintains a diet that supports his overall health.

“According to family members, the challenge at home is making sure that he’s getting enough to eat, that he’s not skipping mealtime, and that his diet is filled with foods that have the chance to improve his health instead of subtract from it,” the source said, adding that such difficulties are familiar to many families caring for loved ones with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

The same source also stated that Bruce’s acuity has declined, noting that he has difficulty communicating and recognizing people.

Emma has been careful to address such reports thoughtfully, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and compassion.

Responding to misinformation

Emma previously spoke out about the emotional toll of seeing misleading or oversimplified headlines about her husband’s condition.

In particular, she said she felt “triggered” by claims suggesting that “there is no more joy in my husband.”

She has repeatedly stressed that while Bruce’s abilities have changed, he continues to experience moments of connection, comfort, and happiness in ways that may not always be visible or easily understood from the outside.

By sharing their story publicly, Emma said her hope is to raise awareness about frontotemporal dementia while also pushing back against narratives that strip people living with the condition of their humanity.

Early warning signs

During the ABC special, Emma also reflected on the early signs that something was wrong—signs that, at the time, were confusing and frightening.

“For someone who was very talkative and very engaged, he was just a little more quiet,” she recalled. “When the family would get together, he would just melt a little bit.”

She explained that Bruce seemed more withdrawn, less expressive, and less affectionate than he had always been. The shift was subtle at first, but deeply unsettling.

“He felt a little removed, a little cold, not like Bruce who was very warm and very affectionate,” Emma said. “To go the complete opposite of that was alarming and scary.”

Looking back, she recognizes these changes as early symptoms of the disease, though at the time they were difficult to interpret.

Adapting to a new way of communicating

Despite the challenges, Emma emphasized that Bruce remains physically mobile and is otherwise in good health.

“Bruce is still very mobile,” she said. “Bruce is in really great health, overall. It’s just his brain that is failing him.”

As his language abilities have declined, the family has learned to adapt. Communication, Emma explained, looks different now, but it is still possible.

“The language is going, and we’ve learned to adapt,” she said. “We have a way of communicating with him, which is just a different way.”

These adaptations have become part of the family’s daily life, requiring patience, creativity, and a deep understanding of Bruce’s needs.

A journey shared with others

Through interviews and public appearances, Emma Heming Willis has increasingly positioned herself as an advocate—not only for her husband, but for other families navigating similar diagnoses.

By speaking openly about grief, fear, love, and resilience, she has helped shed light on a condition that often remains misunderstood.

The decision for Bruce to live in a separate, specialized home reflects the reality many families face when caring for someone with advanced neurological illness.

It is not a sign of abandonment, Emma has made clear, but an act of love designed to protect everyone involved.

As the family continues this journey, Emma has asked for empathy, respect, and understanding. Their story, she hopes, will remind others that behind every diagnosis is a person, a family, and a network of love that endures even as circumstances change.

While Bruce Willis may no longer stand in front of movie cameras, the legacy he built—and the life he continues to live surrounded by care—remains deeply meaningful to those closest to him.