Demi Moore and Bruce Willis divorced 25 years ago, but they’re still family — and when it comes to supporting him after he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2022, she’s all in. During an appearance on Oprah Winfrey’s podcast this week, Demi opened up about her relationship with Bruce, praising his current wife (and caretaker), Emma Heming, in the process.
Demi admitted it’s “difficult” to see Bruce as he is now.
“It’s hard to see somebody who was so vibrant and strong and so directed shift into this other parts of themself,” Demi said. “But you know, my particular perspective is one, I really always say it’s so important just to meet them where they’re at. Don’t have an expectation of them needing to be who they were or who you want them to be, and when you do that, I find that there is an incredible sweetness and something that’s soft and tender and loving.”
She wants to make sure she’s showing up for Bruce.
Since she and Bruce do share three children, they stayed in each other’s lives after their 2000 divorce, and that never changed, even after his marriage to Emma. Now, she wants to keep that relationship alive, even if it does have to be different after the toll that dementia has taken on Bruce.
“Because if you project where it’s going it only creates anxiety. If you replay where it was and what you’ve lost, it only creates anxiety and grief,” she said. “When you stay present, there is so much, and there’s still so much of him there. And it may not always be verbal, but it is beautiful given the givens.”
She also praised Bruce’s wife, Emma.
Demi was also sure to mention Emma, who has been caring for Bruce amid his diagnosis as she continues to parent their two daughters.
“I have so much compassion for Emma in this, being a young woman,” Demi told Oprah. “There’s no way that anybody could have anticipated where this was going to go, and I really think she’s done a masterful job. She has been so dedicated to forging the right path. She’s had equal amounts of fear and strength and courage in navigating this.”
Emma appreciated Demi’s words.
While talking to Oprah on the podcast herself, Emma shared just how much she appreciates Demi’s support.
“She’s right,” Emma said. “It’s about seeing there is beauty there, right? As hard as it is to lose someone that we love, we are able to tap into what is.”
