The Willis family has endured an incredibly difficult period over the past several months, and their journey is far from over. Ever since beloved Die Hard actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with a serious neurological condition that affects communication, the world seemed to pause for both his family and fans.
Bruce initially stepped away from the spotlight after being diagnosed with aphasia, a disorder that impacts speech and language comprehension. As his condition progressed, doctors were able to provide a clearer diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a degenerative brain disease that affects behavior, language, and personality.
Following the announcement, Bruce’s family—including his wife Emma Heming Willis, ex-wife Demi Moore, and his daughters—shared a heartfelt message with the public.
“Our family wanted to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love, support, and wonderful stories we have all received since sharing Bruce’s original diagnosis,” his daughter Rumer Willis wrote on social media.
She continued, explaining that as their understanding of Bruce’s condition deepened, the diagnosis evolved into something more specific and challenging. “Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, his condition has progressed, and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia.”
While the entire family has been deeply affected by Bruce’s illness, his daughter Tallulah Willis, whom he shares with Demi Moore, has been facing serious struggles of her own.
Tallulah has spoken openly about her battle with anorexia and declining mental health, struggles that intensified after her engagement to Dillon Buss ended—just months after her father’s initial diagnosis. According to reports, Bruce has remained emotionally aware of his daughter’s suffering.
“Bruce could see her wasting away, and it only made his own problems worse,” a source told Radar.
“He was shattered when he saw Tallulah’s suffering. It got to the point where the family thought it would be better if they weren’t around each other all the time.”
Following the breakup, Tallulah checked into an in-patient treatment facility, where she was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. In a deeply personal essay for Vogue Magazine, the 29-year-old shared that her struggles with body dysmorphia and disordered eating began after she started taking medication for ADHD.
“I felt smart for the first time,” Tallulah wrote, “but I also started to enjoy the appetite-suppressant side effect. I saw a way to banish the awkward adolescent in favor of a flighty little pixie. And like so many people with eating disorders, my sense of myself went haywire.”
She went on to describe the dangerous cycle of rapid weight loss and external validation.
“There’s an unhealthy deliciousness at the beginning. People say, ‘Oh wow!’ and then quickly it turns into, ‘Are you okay?’ My friends and family were terrified, and I dismissed it.”
By the spring of 2022, Tallulah revealed she weighed approximately 84 pounds, struggled with constant exhaustion, and required mobile IV treatments at home. Even simple activities became overwhelming.
“I was always freezing,” she wrote. “I couldn’t walk in my Los Angeles neighborhood because I was afraid I wouldn’t have a place to sit and catch my breath.”
The Willis family continues to face unimaginable emotional challenges, navigating Bruce Willis’ dementia diagnosis while supporting Tallulah’s ongoing recovery.
We sincerely hope Tallulah finds continued strength and healing, surrounded by the love and support of her family during this profoundly difficult chapter.
