Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
4
“Lack Of Empathy”: Bruce Willis’ Wife, Emma Heming, Sparks Crucial Conversation About Health Care
As Bruce Willis remains absent from the spotlight due to health issues, his wife Emma Heming opened up about an unexpected call she received from a “prominent doctor.”
Her revelation came a few days after she shared an important message related to the passing of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa.
In a recent Instagram video, Emma narrated the conversation she had with the doctor over the phone.
Highlights
- Bruce Willis’ wife Emma Heming narrated an unexpected conversation she had with a “prominent doctor.”
- “Doctors need to do better,” she said in the video.
- Her revelation came shortly after she shared an important message related to the passing of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa.
People Also Ask
What condition was Bruce Willis diagnosed with?
Bruce Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a rare and progressive brain disorder that can affect the patient's behavior, language, and cognitive functions. The actor's family first revealed in 2022 that he was struggling with aphasia, a language disorder, before later confirming his FTD diagnosis.
Is there a cure for FTD?
Currently, there is no cure for FTD and no treatments to slow or stop the progression of the disease, according to NIH. However, symptoms can be managed in certain ways.
RELATED:
Bruce Willis’ wife Emma Heming narrated a conversation she had with a “prominent doctor”
Image credits: emmahemingwillis
The doctor spoke to her about a patient’s diagnosis of young-onset Alzheimer’s and their family, which includes three children aged 10, 12, and 14.
“He needs all of my resources, any contacts,” Emma said as she explained the doctor’s request.
“And I was like: ‘Huh?’” she added.
Image credits: emmahemingwillis
Emma revealed that she was more than happy to share her contacts and resources with the doctor, but she was surprised they didn’t already have the resources to help their patient.
“The thing that just boggles my mind is how do our doctors not already have a Rolodex of ways to support caregivers,” she told her audience.
Emma said she couldn’t understand how doctors do not already have a Rolodex of resources
Image credits: emmahemingwillis
She also noted how she receives messages from family members dealing with dementia diagnoses, who also have questions about resources.
Sometimes, these families might not even be in the same city or state as her, she noted.
When the action hero received his diagnosis, all that Emma received was a “pamphlet”
Image credits: emmahemingwillis
“It’s just like, they need to do better. Doctors need to do better,” she said. “Doctors really do need to have a road map of just some support.”
She revealed that she touches upon the subject in her upcoming book The Unexpected Journey: Finding Hope And Purpose On The Caregiving Path.
Image credits: emmahemingwillis
When her action hero husband Bruce received his diagnosis, she admitted that a pamphlet was all she got.
“I was not handed one resource and we gotta put an end to that,” she added.
“Doctors need to do better,” said the Die Hard actor’s unwavering partner
View this post on Instagram
Emma’s brief heart-to-heart came shortly after she spoke about the late Gene Hackman and his longtime wife and caregiver, Betsy Arakawa.
Betsy’s decomposing body was found in their Santa Fe home on February 26.
Officials believe she passed away on February 11 from hantavirus, which spreads by contact with rodents or their urine or feces.
Emma touched upon the passing of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa in a recent video
Image credits: Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection
Gene, who was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease and might not even have been aware of his wife’s passing in the same house, is believed to have passed away on February 18 from hypertensive atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease.
After details about their passing were released, Emma said in a video that the discovery is a reminder of how caregivers need care too.
Emma said there is a “broader story” in the discovery of Gene and his wife’s bodies
Image credits: emmahemingwillis
“The tragic passing of Mr. and Mrs. Hackman” made her “think of this broader story,” she said.
“Caregivers need care too,” she told her audience. “And that they are vital, and that it is so important that we show up for them so that they can continue to show up for their person.”
She asserted that it’s a “misconception” that caregivers have “got it figured out [or] they’re good.”
View this post on Instagram
“I think that we need to be showing up for them so that they can continue to show up for their person,” she concluded.
Emma married Bruce in March 2009 and welcomed two daughters, Mabel Ray, 12, and Evelyn, 10, with him.
The Die Hard star is also a father to daughters Rumer, 36, Scout, 33, and Tallulah, 31, whom he shares with ex-wife Demi Moore.
The action hero shares three daughters with ex-wife Demi Moore and two daughters with Emma Heming
Image credits: demimoore
Bruce retreated from the spotlight in 2022 after his family announced in March 2022 that he was diagnosed with aphasia, a condition that affects one’s ability to communicate.
They later said in February 2023 that the Hollywood icon has frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which can include speaking and writing challenges associated with the effects of aphasia.
Weeks after the announcement, she requested that paparazzi stop photographing her husband when he was out and about.
View this post on Instagram
“This one is going out to the photographers and the video people that are trying to get those ‘exclusives’ of my husband out and about,” she said in March 2023. “Just keep your space.”
Requesting photographers not yell or ask her how he’s doing, she asked them to allow Bruce and whoever he is accompanied by to “safely” get from “point A to point B.”
Bruce’s family announced that he has frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023
Image credits: demimoore
Back in September 2022, Emma was branded a “drama queen” by internet trolls after sharing a post about her husband’s health on National Grief Awareness Day.
She said the grief was “paralyzing,” but noted she discovered new hobbies along the way and stayed active.
Emma has long been vocal about her journey since her husband’s diagnosis
Image credits: emmahemingwillis
After criticism for her comments, she clapped back at haters, who asked her to “stop whining” because she could “cope just fine with his $$$.”
“When you marry an old man DECADES older than you are, you become their caregivers,” read one of the messages. “That’s what you signed up for deal with it and stop complaining.”
Image credits: emmahemingwillis
Emma shared screenshots of the hateful comments and wrote, “When you’re not allowed to talk grief, self-care, or being human in the world on grief awareness day.”
“My gawd,” she added. “But in the words of the great, philosophical, insightful Bruce Willis … ‘Ah, f*** em.’”
Netizens agreed that “caregiver burnout is real” after watching Emma’s video
Poll Question
What do you think about the lack of support for caregivers described by Emma?
Concerning
Expected
An opportunity to advocate change
Overstated
What do you think ?
Rouch Houz 13 hours ago
It's the whole health system, doctors aren't to blame individually! They aren't superheroes, they're humans too and they can't be an expert at everything?! (Written by someone also HUGELY let down by the health system!)
LakotaWolf (she/her) 9 hours ago
I spent my life age 18 to age 39 being the primary caregiver for my completely-disabled father. He had a catastrophic brain injury from an accident, and was bedridden, had a feeding tube, was in diapers, etc. Caregiver burnout is real, and it is devastating. I attempted su!cide twice during the 21 years I helped care for him. He died in 2021 and I'm still not okay. And I loved my father deeply and was happy to stay living at home and pause my entire life to help care for him... but it destroyed my life and it destroyed me. There are very few resources to help family caregivers out, even in supposedly "advanced" countries like America. If you're a caregiver for a family member, please try to take care of yourself as much as possible <3
Doodles1983 5 hours ago
This. And ensure access to respite care regularly. Even if it's a few hours. For yourself to regroup. It's not failure. It's not selfishness. It actually enables you to refresh, get new perspective, have some you time and provide better tlc to the person you're responsible for in the long term. This counts for carers of any kind. AND the person being cared for. A change of face can distress some people but it can also reinvigorate THEM. And this goes for parenting too, actually. All the best.
Rouch Houz 13 hours ago
It's the whole health system, doctors aren't to blame individually! They aren't superheroes, they're humans too and they can't be an expert at everything?! (Written by someone also HUGELY let down by the health system!)
LakotaWolf (she/her) 9 hours ago
I spent my life age 18 to age 39 being the primary caregiver for my completely-disabled father. He had a catastrophic brain injury from an accident, and was bedridden, had a feeding tube, was in diapers, etc. Caregiver burnout is real, and it is devastating. I attempted su!cide twice during the 21 years I helped care for him. He died in 2021 and I'm still not okay. And I loved my father deeply and was happy to stay living at home and pause my entire life to help care for him... but it destroyed my life and it destroyed me. There are very few resources to help family caregivers out, even in supposedly "advanced" countries like America. If you're a caregiver for a family member, please try to take care of yourself as much as possible <3
Doodles1983 5 hours ago
This. And ensure access to respite care regularly. Even if it's a few hours. For yourself to regroup. It's not failure. It's not selfishness. It actually enables you to refresh, get new perspective, have some you time and provide better tlc to the person you're responsible for in the long term. This counts for carers of any kind. AND the person being cared for. A change of face can distress some people but it can also reinvigorate THEM. And this goes for parenting too, actually. All the best.
Related on Bored Panda
![Dad Of Two Asks, “Am I The [Jerk] For Leaving My Date At The Bar After She Insulted My Kids?”](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/bar-kids-date_wide-Cover-67d277766e3ca.jpg)
7
11