Following Bruce Willis’ dementia diagnosis, his wife Emma Heming Willis has asked paparazzi to keep their distance and not yell at the actor.
In a clip posted to Instagram, Heming Willis said “there’s still a lot of education that needs to be put forth” about those living with dementia, and noted that it can be “difficult and stressful” to help them “navigate” life safely. “This one is going out to the photographers and the video people that are trying to get those exclusives of my husband out and about: Just keep your space,” she said, referencing recent photographs and videos that showed Willis out getting coffee with some friends. “I know this is your job, but maybe just keep your space.”
She also asked fans and paparazzo to refrain from yelling and Willis, who announced he was “stepping away” from acting last year when he was initially diagnosed with aphasia. Last month, his family announced his “condition [had] progressed,” and he was diagnosed with dementia.
“For the video people, please don’t be yelling at my husband asking him how he’s doing or whatever—the ‘woohoo’-ing and the ‘yippee ki-yays’ just don’t do it. OK? Give him his space,” she continued. “Allow for our family or whoever’s with him that day to be able to get him from point A to point B safely.” Heming Willis and Willis, 67, married in 2009.
As Willis’ family detailed last month, the actor was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. “Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD),” read the statement. “Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”
