Emma Heming Willis opened up about the emotional complexities of celebrating her 17th wedding anniversary with Bruce Willis, as the actor continues his battle with frontotemporal dementia. The 46-year-old model shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, reflecting on the challenges they face in light of Bruce’s condition, which was publicly disclosed nearly two years ago.
In her post, Emma admitted that anniversaries, once a cause for excitement, now bring a deep emotional weight. “17 years of us,” she wrote alongside a photo of herself and Bruce. “Anniversaries used to bring up excitement. Now, if I’m honest, they stir up all the feelings, leaving a heaviness in my heart and a pit in my stomach.”
Emma explained how she processes the intense emotions she experiences. “I give myself 30 minutes to sit in the why him, why us, to feel the anger and grief. Then I shake it off and return to what is. And what is, is unconditional love.”
Despite the challenges they face, Emma expressed how grateful she feels to have shared so many years with Bruce. “I feel blessed to know it and it’s because of him,” she wrote. “I would do it all over again and again in a heartbeat.”
The post comes as Emma and the rest of Bruce’s family have been transparent about the difficulties they’ve encountered since his diagnosis. In March, Emma addressed rumors surrounding Bruce’s condition, expressing frustration over tabloid headlines that painted a bleak and inaccurate picture. “The headline basically says there is no more joy in my husband. Now, I can just tell you that is far from the truth,” she said. “I need society and whoever is writing these stupid headlines to stop scaring people to think that once they get a diagnosis of some kind of neurocognitive disease that that’s it, it’s over. No, it is the complete opposite of that.”
Bruce’s ex-wife, Demi Moore, has also shared updates on the actor’s health. In a recent appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Demi spoke about how the family is adjusting to Bruce’s condition, offering guidance to their three daughters on how to cope. “How is he right now? I think he’s doing well, given the givens,” Demi said. “He’s in a stable place. And what I say to my kids is, you meet them where they’re at. You don’t hold on to who they were or what you want them to be, but who they are in this moment. And from that, there is such beauty and joy in loving and sweetness.”
Emma’s anniversary message highlights the bittersweet reality of living through such a difficult time, but also the deep love and commitment she shares with Bruce. As the family continues to support the actor, Emma’s message of unconditional love serves as a reminder of the strength that sustains them.
