Quote from Oladosun Joshua Segun on August 30, 2025, 3:35 AM

A sixth intuition told Emma Heming Willis that she would have to fight back against the naysayers. The 47-year-old responded to the criticism she received for living apart after disclosing in the ABC documentary special Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey that her husband Bruce Willis is battling frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and is living in a different residence.

“What I knew is that by sharing some of our intimate information that we would see these two camps,” Emma stated in a video posted to Instagram as post and Story on August 29. “It would be people with an opinion versus people with an actual experience."

Noting that those with an opinion were “quick” to criticize, she continued, "That is what caregivers are up against. Judgement from others."

Emma, who has kids with Bruce, Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11, said she re-read a passage from her future book to boost her confidence in the face of criticism.

“Everyone will have an opinion, but you have to remind yourself that most don’t have the experience to back it up,” she revealed. "Even if someone is closely familiar with dementia or the condition you are caring for, they aren't in your home, so they don't know how your person is behaving or your family dynamics."

She came to a conclusion, "The truth is that the opinions are so loud and they're so noisy. But if they don't have the experience of this, they don't get a say, and they definitely don't get a vote."

Emma said in the ABC special that Bruce, who is also the father of three daughters Scout Willis, age 33, Tallulah Willis, age 31 and Rumer Willis, age 36 with his ex-wife Demi Moore receive round-the-clock care and frequent visits from his loved ones.

"It's our second home, so the girls have their things there," in the TV interview, she stated to Diane Sawyer. "It is a house that is filled with love and warmth and care and laughter. It's been beautiful to see that to see how many of Bruce's friends continue to show up for him. They bring in life and fun."

Emma is focused on the positives even though it was "one of the hardest decisions" she had to make throughout Bruce's treatment because loud noises, which are more common in homes with children, trigger FTD patients.

"When we are with him, he lights up," she clarified. "He's holding our hands, we're kissing him. We're hugging him. He is reciprocating. He is into it."

Emma went on, "That's all I need. I don't need him to know that I am his wife, we were married on this day. I don't need any of that. I just want to feel that I have a connection with him, and I do."