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Emma Heming has opened up about a deeply personal choice her family made as Bruce Willis continues his battle with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and primary progressive aphasia (PPA).
The model and entrepreneur explained that the 70-year-old actor now resides in a second home close to their primary residence, a decision that has eased both his care and the day-to-day lives of their two young daughters. Speaking with People, Heming admitted that the move was far from easy.
"It was the hardest thing," she said. "Bruce's disease requires a calm and serene atmosphere."
Creating space for Bruce and the children
The new setup allows Willis to live in a quiet, safe environment with round-the-clock professional support, while daughters Mabel and Evelyn can enjoy the freedom to be kids in their own space.
"We have two young children, and it was just important that they had a home that supported their needs and that Bruce could have a place that supported his needs," Heming explained.
"The kids can have playdates and sleepovers [again] and not have to walk around tiptoeing," she said. "Everything just feels a lot calmer, more at ease now."
Meeting criticism with honesty
When Heming first shared the decision publicly last month, not everyone understood. Some critics questioned why the couple would live apart. She responded by stressing that dementia impacts each family differently and that what matters most is finding a structure that works.
"Dementia plays out differently in everyone's home, and you have to do what's right for your family dynamic and what's right for your person," she said.
"It's heartbreaking to me. But this is how we were able to support our whole family, [and] it has opened up Bruce's world."
Still a shared life
Heming made clear that living in separate homes does not mean leading separate lives. She spends much of her time with Willis, and their daughters keep clothes, toys, and art supplies at his residence.
"I get to go back to being Bruce's wife and the kids can be kids, and there's beauty in that and I'm so grateful for that," she reflected. "I just get to be with him in these moments, and that is because of this setup we have. It's been helpful for us."