Demi Moore offers heartfelt update on ex-husband Bruce Willis' dementia

The Die Hard actor, 68, has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia - a rare dementia type that primarily affects behaviour and language

Actress Demi Moore has shared a touching update on the condition of her ex-husband, Bruce Willis, as he continues his fight with dementia. The 51-year-old reportedly spoke her thoughts about the Die Hard star's health during an appearance at the 2024 Hamptons International Film Festival in New York, where she was honoured with an Acting Award.

Two years ago, Bruce Willis was forced to step back from acting after he was diagnosed with aphasia — a neurological condition affecting communication. Sadly, his health has since declined, leading to a precise diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

Speaking at a panel discussion, Demi described the 68-year-old actor as 'stable', despite the complexity of his illness. "What I always encourage is to just meet them where they're at," she said, according to People.

"When you're holding on to what was, I think it's a losing game. But when you show up to meet them where they're at, there is great beauty and sweetness." Though Demi and Bruce ended their marriage over ten years ago, they have remained close, co-parenting their three adult daughters.

Following their split, Bruce married actress Emma Heming Willis in 2009, expanding his family with two more daughters. Reflecting similar sentiments about her father's situation, Tallulah, one of Bruce's daughters, also told the publication that her dad is 'doing the same' and she constantly strives to be 'open to what the visit is'.

"I'll go visit my dad and spend some time with him," she previously told People. "But whatever kind of day it is, my family and I meet him where he's at."

Frontotemporal dementia is a less common form of dementia that predominantly impacts behaviour and language. It is typically diagnosed in individuals between 45 and 65 years old, though it can occur at any age, as per the NHS.

Currently, there is no cure or method to decelerate its progression. Neurologist Dr Nicholas Milano at MUSC Health Memory Disorders Clinic, previously explained: "While everyone is different, the average life expectancy of a patient diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia is nine years from the first symptom but five years from the first diagnosis. Because usually there’s a delay in diagnosis.

"... Because it’s less common than Alzheimer's disease, there probably hasn’t been as much research, and there haven't been any treatments that have been shown to be beneficial." Despite Bruce's communication challenges, Tallulah last year expressed her thankfulness that his physical mobility remains intact. In a Vogue piece, she said: "I keep flipping between the present and the past when I talk about Bruce: he is, he was, he is, he was.

"That’s because I have hopes for my father that I’m so reluctant to let go of. I’ve always recognised elements of his personality in me, and I just know that we’d be such good friends if only there were more time."