Demi Moore has candidly reflected on the poignant journey of witnessing her ex-husband Bruce Willis' gradual decline following his dementia diagnosis, while heaping praise upon his second wife, Emma Heming Willis, who has transformed into an esteemed author and a fierce advocate for caregivers. However, Moore is now grappling with some criticism after disclosing that she had arranged for the Hollywood legend to reside in a separate facility.
"As a young woman in this situation, I hold immense empathy for Emma," Moore shared in a prerecorded interview featured on an episode of The Oprah Podcast, which focused on an interview with Heming Willis. "No one could have foreseen the path we'd tread. I genuinely believe she's handled it with remarkable skill. She's demonstrated unwavering dedication to forging the correct path, navigating this journey with equal measures of fear, strength, and courage."
Heming Willis and her family maintained a relatively low profile after announcing in 2023 that Willis, the iconic actor of Die Hard and Pulp Fiction fame, had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and had lost his speech. A year earlier, he had retired from acting following a diagnosis of aphasia. However, last week, Heming Willis appeared in a special report with renowned ABC News reporter Diane Sawyer, opening up about the heartache and resilience her family has shown since the unexpected diagnosis turned their world upside down. The former model turned advocate also revealed to Sawyer that while Willis still dines with his wife and daughters daily at his home, where he is assisted by a full-time care team, she had made the heart-wrenching decision for him to reside in a facility tailored to his specific needs.
"He would want them to be in an environment that better meets their needs, not his," Heming Willis told Sawyer in Emma and Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey — A Diane Sawyer Special.
Willis and Moore were married for 13 years, sharing three daughters together. Nearly a decade after their divorce in 2000, he tied the knot with Heming, a successful runway model, fashion cover girl, and entrepreneur, in a ceremony in Turks and Caicos in 2009. The couple welcomed two daughters into their world and ventured into various business endeavors and fragrance lines. Moore spoke glowingly of Heming Willis' extraordinary efforts as a caregiver during her guest appearance on The Oprah Podcast on Tuesday.
In a previously taped interview with host Oprah Winfrey, the actress, who recently received an Oscar nomination for her role in the body horror thriller The Substance, discussed the immense pressure and responsibilities that fell upon Heming Willis after Willis' diagnosis. She also praised Heming Willis for navigating these challenges, ensuring the father of five received proper care, and even advocating for caregivers and authoring a book on the subject, which was released this week.
"Emma understands the importance of caregivers taking care of themselves," Moore added. "If they don't prioritize their own well-being, they won't be able to support anyone else."
Despite their divorce, Willis and Moore have been successful co-parents and have maintained a friendship. Moore attended his second wedding, and the action star forged a bond with Ashton Kutcher, who was Moore's partner for several years after their separation. However, Moore admitted to Winfrey that witnessing Willis' decline has been challenging for her.
"It's difficult to see someone who was once so vibrant, strong, and direct transform into this new version of themselves," Moore told Winfrey. "But from my perspective, it's crucial to meet them where they are. Don't expect them to be who they once were or who you want them to be. When you do that, I find there's an incredible sweetness, something soft, tender, and loving. Perhaps it's more playful and childlike in a sense because they require more caretaking."
While speaking with Sawyer, Heming Willis provided an update on Willis' condition, stating, "Bruce is in excellent health overall; it's just his brain that's failing him."
However, the revelation that she and Bruce Willis do not reside in the same home sparked backlash across the internet. The mother of two addressed this on Instagram, acknowledging that she had anticipated some opinions in the comments section.
"Too often, caregivers are hastily and unfairly judged by those who haven't lived this journey or stood on the front lines," she wrote to her followers. "Sharing openly may invite opinions, but more importantly, it fosters connection and validation for those navigating the realities of caregiving every day. I share for them, to build a deeper connection with a community that understands this journey."
