Father’s Day carried extra weight this year for Bruce Willis’ family.
On Sunday, June 15, his wife Emma Heming Willis took to Instagram with a deeply emotional tribute, reflecting on the challenges of the day while honoring Bruce and other dads facing health battles.
“Happy Father’s Day to all the dads living with disability or disease, showing up in the ways they can and to the children who show up for them,” she wrote. “What Bruce teaches our girls goes far beyond words. Resilience, unconditional love, and the quiet strength in simply being present.”
Bruce Willis, 70, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023—a rare and progressive brain disease that impacts communication, behavior, and language. According to the National Institute on Aging, there is currently no cure or treatment that can slow the disease’s progression.
Emma Heming Willis, 46, shared that she felt “profoundly sad” on Father’s Day, admitting she wished “things could be different for him and lighter for our family.” Married to Bruce since 2009, the couple shares two daughters, Mabel, 12, and Evelyn, 10.
“These symbolic days stir up a lot,” she added. “As they say in our FTD community, ‘It is what it is.’ And while that might sound dismissive, to me, it’s not. It grounds me. It helps me return to the acceptance of what is and not fight this every step of the way like I used to.”
Bruce’s daughter Rumer Willis, 36, also took to Instagram with an emotional post. The actress, who Bruce shares with ex-wife Demi Moore, opened up about the pain of the day.
“Today is hard,” Rumer wrote. “I feel a deep ache in my chest to talk to you and tell you everything I’m doing and what’s going on in my life. To hug you and ask you about life and your stories and struggles and successes. I wish I asked you more questions while you could still tell me about it all.”
In addition to Rumer, Bruce and Demi Moore also share daughters Scout, 33, and Tallulah, 31.
Rumer also shared that she’s focusing on staying present and thankful, especially during the moments Bruce spends with her 2-year-old daughter, Louetta, whom she shares with ex-boyfriend Derek Thomas.
“I can watch the way your eyes light up when you see Louetta—I will be grateful for every moment I have with you,” she wrote.
The following day, Demi Moore showed her support by reposting Rumer’s heartfelt message to her Instagram Story.
