Rumer Willis shares emotional Father's Day message amid Bruce Willis' dementia battle

Express Tribune

6 hours ago

Rumer Willis, the eldest daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, marked Father's Day with a heartfelt post reflecting on her father's ongoing battle with frontotemporal dementia. Bruce retired from acting in 2022 following an aphasia diagnosis, with the family later revealing the more specific dementia diagnosis in 2023. At the time, they described the clarity of the diagnosis as both painful and a relief.
On Instagram, Rumer shared her emotional thoughts: 'Today is hard, I feel a deep ache in my chest to talk to you and tell you everything I'm doing and what's going on in my life.' She expressed longing for conversations and memories they can no longer share, adding, 'I wish I asked you more questions while you could still tell me about it all.' Despite her sadness, she noted Bruce wouldn't want her to feel down, and said she's grateful for the time they still have together.
Joining Rumer in marking the occasion, Bruce's wife Emma Heming Willis shared her own message of support. She acknowledged the complexity of such symbolic days, writing: 'I'm profoundly sad today. I wish, with every cell in my body, that things could be different for him and lighter for our family.' She praised Bruce's strength and the life lessons he continues to pass on to their daughters, adding, 'What Bruce teaches our girls goes far beyond words — resilience, unconditional love, and the quiet strength in simply being present.'
Despite the challenges, the family remains united in love and support, most recently coming together in March to celebrate Bruce's 70th birthday with rare photos and tributes shared on social media.