Tallulah Willis recently shared candid words about her father’s long-term health issues. Tallulah said Bruce Willis, 68, has been battling declining health for several years and was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) earlier this year.
Tallulah emphasized that her father still knows her despite her condition and comforts her during difficult times.
Tallulah, 29, explores her experiences and observations about her father’s health in a compelling first-person essay. She said she felt something was wrong for a while.
His family initially attributed his fuzzy hearing to Hollywood hearing loss, jokingly blaming the action film Die Hard for damaging his ears. But unable to respond quickly enough, Tallulah took it as a personal loss of connection.
She has spoken publicly about the fact that it was difficult for her to separate from her father after having a child with her stepmother, Emma Heming Willis, but it didn’t really affect their relationship.
Tallulah’s teenage mind led her down a path of false self-perception, believing she was neither beautiful to her mother Demi Moore nor interesting to her father.
Tallulah acknowledged her struggles and admitted that she initially responded to her father’s deteriorating health through avoidance and denial.
It wasn’t until she received treatment for her eating disorder and a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder that she felt better able to face reality.
Recognizing that recovery is a lifelong process, she said she now has the tools she needs to engage in all aspects of her life, especially her relationship with her father.
Tallulah expressed her support for her father and is confident that he will bring a bright and cheerful spirit to their interactions. Although he used to be afraid of succumbing to depression, he now feels confident and cherishes every moment he spends with his father.
He introduced himself as an archaeologist who recorded the situation through numerous photographs when he visited his father’s house.
These images serve as a valuable reminder that she is human and that the bonds she fears will disappear once she is physically gone.
In her moving portraits, Tallulah depicted her father’s daily existence in the house, always downstairs, in the office or in large open spaces that included the kitchen, dining room and living room.
Interestingly, he notes that his mobility is not affected by dementia. This provides a bright spot among their struggles. Tallulah emphasized that her father still has her in his heart despite the hardships.
Every time she walks into the room, he recognizes her and greets her with a smile, strengthening their unbreakable bond. But when Tallulah talks about Bruce, she reveals her inner conflict between present and past, the reality of her situation, and her unwavering hope for recovery.
She cherished the traces of his character that she saw in him and longed for more time to deepen their bond, believing that their relationship would improve if circumstances allowed.
Tallulah embraced all aspects of her father’s character with enthusiasm and respect. He described her as calm, charming, polite, fashionable, charming and slightly eccentric, and recognized their shared genes reflected in her personality.
He attributed her desire to enjoy life to her no-life mentality and her upbringing in New Jersey. Tallulah fondly recalled a time when her father would order one of everything on the restaurant’s menu to experience the different flavors.
This is proof that she loved the life her father built for her. During this difficult time, Bruce’s family came together to help him live life to the fullest.
His wife Emma, their children Mabel and Evelyn and Demi Moore and her children Rumer, Scout and Tallulah rallied to support him. They prioritize keeping Bruce active and create a busy schedule with a variety of activities to keep his mind and body engaged.
Tallulah bravely shares her family’s journey, reminding us of the power of love and resilience through her words.
Their stories highlight the importance of appreciating each moment, finding strength in self-awareness, and embracing the shared experiences that shape our lives.
