Bruce Willis’ wife asks the paparazzi to leave them alone

March 6, 2023

Bruce Willis’ family wants fans to leave the retired actor, who has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, alone.

It’s been nearly a year since Bruce Willis retired from acting after announcing his battle with aphasia. Now his wife says it’s time for the paparazzi to get the memo and acknowledge that he’s going private.

In a widely circulated video posted in person Instagram Emma Heming Willis on Sunday asked photographers not to try to capture the retired actor when his family takes him out in public.

“If you care for someone with dementia, you know how difficult and stressful it can be to bring someone into the world and navigate them safely, even just for a cup of coffee,” she said. “Obviously, a lot of education is still needed. So this is for the photographers and videographers trying to get my husband’s exclusive creations out there. Just stay put.”

She continued, “I know it’s your job, but maybe just stay where you are… Please don’t yell at my husband and ask how he’s doing, no matter what. Woo-hooing and yippee-ki-yay – just don’t do it. Give him space. Let’s allow our family or whoever is with him that day to get him from point A to point B safely. This is my PSA.”

His comments came just weeks after Willis’ family announced that his mental condition had deteriorated to the point where he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.

“Since announcing Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in the spring of 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD),” the Willis family said in a statement. “Unfortunately, communication challenges are just one symptom of the illness Bruce is dealing with. Although it is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”

While Willis is no longer working on new films, his impact on the industry is still felt. “Unbreakable” and “The Sixth Sense” director M. Night Shyamalan recently paid tribute to him while promoting “Knock at the Cabin,” saying Willis still “means the world to me.”

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