Bruce Willis’ wife makes desperate plea after the star’s ‘cruel’ health blow
As action star Bruce Willis continues to grapple with his recent dementia diagnosis, his wife has taken to social media to urge paparazzi to give her husband “his space”.
Following a shock aphasia diagnosis in 2022, Willis’ family recently revealed that the star had been dealt another “cruel” blow after his condition “progressed”.
In a heartbreaking development, it was announced that the Die Hard star had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.
Despite the difficult news, the 67-year-old’s family expressed their “relief to finally have a clear diagnosis”.
“Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis,” they said in a statement.
“Bruce has always found joy in life – and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us. We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible.”
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As Willis and his family come to terms with the devastating news, the star’s wife, Emma Heming, has delivered a message to “photographers and the video people”, pleading with them not to yell out to her husband when he is out in public.
“So this one is going out to the photographers and the video people that are trying to get those ‘exclusives’ of my husband out and about: just keep your space,” she said in a post to Instagram.
“I know this is your job but maybe just keep your space.
“For the video people, please don’t be yelling at my husband asking him how he’s doing or whatever — the ‘woohoo’-ing and the ‘yippee ki-yays’… just don’t do it. OK?
“Give him his space. Allow for our family or whoever’s with him that day to be able to get him from point A to point B safely.
“To other caregivers or dementia care specialists navigating this world… Any tips or advice on how to get your loved ones out in the world safely? Please share below.”
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Followers were quick to praise Heming for her message while wishing Willis all the best.
“Thank you Emma! You highlight why @theaftd advocates for respectful treatment for all who face FTD, as well as the concerns care partners need to navigate with their loved ones out in public,” one person said.
“He spent his life entertaining us and he absolutely deserves to be left alone. He earned that right with out without dementia. He is a true Icon and deserves all the grace and respect of the world.”
“I’m sorry you had to say this at all, but you said it perfectly,” another commented.
“People need to be a little more respectful. Just for him as a human being, but also with his dementia. That kind of chaos and attention can be extra stressful and possibly traumatic in some instances.”
“Thank you for everything you’re doing!”
Fans around the world were left in a state of shock following the announcement of Willis’ original aphasia diagnosis, a condition that affects a person’s ability to communicate.
At the time the Hollywood icon’s family took to social media on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, to post a joint statement announcing the actor would be “stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him” following his shock diagnosis.
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Willis achieved fame thanks to a leading role in the comedy-drama series Moonlighting and has since gone on to appear in over 70 films. Some of Willis’s notable credits include The Last Boy Scout, Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, science fiction hits such as 12 Monkeys, The Fifth Element, and Armageddon, as well as the supernatural thriller The Sixth Sense.
However, it was his role as John McClane in the Die Hard franchise that gave him global recognition and cemented his status as an action star.
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