Bruce Willis’ daughter Tallulah details his ‘really aggressive’ and ‘very rare’ dementia
Bruce Willis’ daughter Tallulah shed some light recently on her father’s battle with dementia.
Tallulah opened up during Wednesday’s appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show” about the “Die Hard” star’s health struggles.
“He is the same, which I think in this regard I’ve learned is the best thing you can ask for,” she explained to the “Scream” star, 48.
She went on: “I see love when I’m with him, and it’s my dad and he loves me, which is really special.”
Tallulah explained that Willis, 68, “has a very aggressive cognitive disease; [a] form of dementia that’s very rare.”
Barrymore then asked why the Willis clan wanted “to be so open” about his health. Tallulah responded: “Well, I think it’s twofold. On one hand, it’s who we are as a family, but also, it’s really important for us to spread awareness.”
Willis shares three daughters with ex Demi Moore — Rumer, 35; Tallulah, 29; and Scout, 32 — and two daughters with wife Emma Heming Willis — Mabel, 11; and Evelyn, 9.
“If we can take something that we’re struggling with as a family to help other people, to turn it around to make something beautiful about it, that’s really special for us,” Tallulah stated.
She continued: “And part of what’s been a really beautiful way for me to heal through this is becoming like an archeologist to my dad’s world, to his little trinkets and doodads.”
The “Moonlighting” alum was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in February, with his family announcing the news in a joint statement at the time.
“While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis,” the family said. “FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone.
“Bruce has always found joy in life — and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us.”
The note concluded: “We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible.”
In 2022, Willis’ loved ones had announced that he was suffering from aphasia, a condition that changes one’s ability to speak and write. He’s since retired from acting to focus on his health battle.
Last month, “Moonlighting” creator Glenn Gordon Caron told The Post that Willis is “not totally verbal” when he visits him.
“My sense is the first one to three minutes he knows who I am,” Caron said. “He used to be a voracious reader — he didn’t want anyone to know that — and he’s not reading now. All those language skills are no longer available to him, and yet he’s still Bruce.”
