While appearing on the November 8 episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, Tallulah Willis discussed Bruce Willis‘ condition and why their family decided to be so open about his health.
“On one hand, it’s who we are as a family,” the 29-year-old told Barrymore. “But also, it’s really important for us to spread awareness about FTD because there’s not enough information out there.”
In February 2023, after an initial announcement the Die Hard actor had been diagnosed with aphasia and much speculation, the Willis family revealed Bruce had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
Since the family’s disclosure they have been extremely open regarding regular updates on Bruce’s condition.
“The bigger version of what I’m trying to do (is) if we can take something that we’re struggling with as a family and individually and help other people to turn it around, to make something beautiful about it, that’s really special for us,” Tallulah said.
“What’s going on with my dad — he has a really aggressive cognitive disease, a form of dementia that’s very rare.”
FTD is different from other types of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease. While Alzheimer’s typically involves memory loss, FTD impacts a person’s behavior.
Tallulah wrote about these changes in her father’s behavior in a May 2023 essay for Vogue.
“It started out with a kind of vague unresponsiveness, which the family chalked up to Hollywood hearing loss: ‘Speak up! ‘Die Hard’ messed with Dad’s ears,’” she wrote. “Later that unresponsiveness broadened, and I sometimes took it personally. He had had two babies with my stepmother, Emma Heming Willis, and I thought he lost interest in me.’”
As for his condition now, “He is the same, which, I think, in this regard I’ve learned is the best thing you can ask for. I see love when I’m with him, and it’s my dad and he loves me.”
Bruce and family, we are constantly praying for you. We also want to thank you for bringing awareness to FTD.
READ MORE:
- Bruce Willis’s wife reveals truth after doctors “disrespectful” dementia comments
- Bruce Willis’ daughter reveals his reaction to seeing her face months after dementia diagnosis
