Emma Heming addressed criticism in a heartfelt statement after her husband, Bruce Willis, a beloved action star, disclosed that he lives in a different home while battling dementia.
“The opinions are very loud,” Hemming, 47, remarked in an Instagram video shared on Friday, following her appearance on an ABC special with Diane Sawyer.
“If they haven’t experienced this, they shouldn’t weigh in—there’s just no basis for that.”
In the video, she highlighted how quickly people often rush to judge caregivers in online comments.
“That’s what caregivers face,” she added. “Judgment and criticism from others can be tough.”
Heming praised the network for doing a commendable job raising awareness about frontotemporal dementia during the program, which focused on Willis’ serious diagnosis.
She also applauded the special for “Spotlighting Caregivers,” a role she fully understands as her husband deals with neurodegenerative diseases.
“Sharing openly might invite opinions, but what’s more important is fostering connections with those who are living this caregiving reality daily,” she expressed in part of her video caption.
“I want to build a deeper connection with the community that understands this journey.”
In response to her statement, Willis’ daughter Tarla, from his previous marriage to Demi Moore, expressed her love and gratitude for her stepmother. “Thank you for everything you do for us,” she wrote.
During the special, Hemming, who has been married to Bruce since 2009, shared the challenging decision to move the “Die Hard” actor to a nearby home that accommodates their daughters’ needs.
“Bruce would want what’s best for our daughters,” she explained to Sawyer. “He’d prefer them to be in a place that suits them, not just what he needs.”
Heming shared that this decision wasn’t easy, but emphasized that she and their daughters make regular visits.
She mentioned they often have breakfast and dinner together, and Bruce has full-time care support.
Bruce retired from acting in 2022 after being diagnosed with aphasia. He was later diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2023.
These conditions can significantly impact speech and language, leading to mobility issues and behavioral changes.
In December, on their 17th anniversary, Heming reflected on the “anger and sadness” of living with such a diagnosis.
“Anniversaries used to bring joy. Now, they bring up mixed emotions, leaving me with a heavy feeling,” she shared on Instagram. She mentioned taking time to ponder, “Why him? Why us?” before reminding herself of the importance of unconditional love.
