Bruce Willis’ Family Announces His New Dementia Diagnosis

On Thursday, Bruce Willis‘ family updated fans on his health, stating that he has been diagnosed with a form of dementia called frontotemporal dementia, called FTD for short. The family shared that the news, “is painful, but it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”

Mayo Clinic describes the disorder as “an umbrella term for a group of brain disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas of the brain are generally associated with personality, behavior and language.”

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The family continued, “Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. As Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research.”

The 67-year-old star had taken a break from acting in 2022 when he had first been diagnosed with aphasia.

Mayo Clinic describes aphasia as “a disorder that affects how you communicate. It can impact your speech, as well as the way you write and understand both spoken and written language.”

While dementia and aphasia seem nearly identical, dementia affects the parts of the brain responsible for memory and thinking, which in turn can cause aphasia and the ability to communicate.

“Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately,” his family’s statement continued. “We know in our hearts that – if he could today – he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.”

During this time, Willis is surrounded by members of his family, including his wife Emma Hemin Willis, and his daughters Mabel, Evelyn, Rumer, Scout and Tallulah.