Bruce Willis’ Brain to Be Donated for Science, Family Confirms
Emma Heming-Willis has opened up about how the family is preparing for the difficult moments ahead as Bruce Willis continues to live with frontotemporal dementia.
She explained that she has already planned many parts of the farewell process so the family can focus on supporting each other when the time comes. This information was shared through reports from WP Times and updates from the family on social media.
Bruce Willis, who is now 70, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia three years ago. The condition has taken away many of his communication skills and has made daily life much harder. He now lives in a specially prepared home where he receives full-time medical care.
Emma tries to guide their two young daughters, Mabel and Evelyn, through the changes in their father’s health. She slowly prepares them for what the family will have to face together.
She also confirmed that the family plans to donate Bruce’s brain for scientific research, a decision meant to help doctors study the disease. She said, “This decision is emotionally difficult, but scientifically necessary for understanding frontotemporal dementia.”
Rumer Willis also spoke about her father’s condition during an Instagram Q&A. She said that people often ask how he is doing, but the question is not easy to answer. In her words, “Anybody with FTD is not doing great. But he’s doing OK in terms of somebody who’s dealing with frontotemporal dementia, you know what I mean?”
Rumer Willis gives heartbreaking update on dad Bruce’s dementia battle: ‘Not doing great’ https://t.co/E62Zw0WG8e pic.twitter.com/7ZB5zJ9RmB
— New York Post (@nypost) November 21, 2025
She added that simple answers no longer fit the situation. Later, she shared another message, explaining how much it means to still have moments with him. “I’m so happy and grateful that I still get to go and hug him,” Rumer said. “Whether he recognizes me or not, he can feel the love I’ve given him and I can feel it back.”
The family continues to face the illness together, choosing to speak openly about the challenges in hopes of raising awareness and supporting medical research into frontotemporal dementia.
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