Bruce Willis’ Wife’s Shares ‘Heaviness’ In Her Heart In Anniversary Post

Emma Heming Willis marked her 17th dating anniversary with Bruce Willis by sharing a heartfelt Instagram post, reflecting on love and grief as the actor struggles with dementia.

Fans flooded the comments with support and admiration for her honesty, with some sharing how much of an impact Bruce had on their lives.

Demi Moore, Bruce Willis’ ex-wife, also recently shared updates on the actor’s condition, emphasizing the importance of meeting him where he is now.

On Sunday, Emma took to Instagram to celebrate her anniversary with Bruce by sharing a nostalgic photo of them standing in the ocean at sunset, with their silhouettes framed by the fading light.

In the caption, she wrote: “17 years of us,” tagging the location as Turks and Caicos.

Emma reflected on the occasion: “Anniversaries used to bring excitement — now, if I’m honest, they stir up all the feelings, leaving a heaviness in my heart and a pit in my stomach.”

She continued: “I give myself 30 minutes to sit in the ‘why him, why us,’ to feel the anger and grief. Then I shake it off and return to what is. And what is… is unconditional love. I feel blessed to know it, and it’s because of him. I’d do it all over again and again in a heartbeat.”

Emma’s post comes as Bruce continues to battle with dementia, a journey that began publicly in March 2022 following his aphasia diagnosis.

Fans flooded the comments with love and support for Emma’s heartfelt post.

One follower wrote, “Happy Anniversary! I’m glad you take time to be angry and sad, not healthy to bottle it up. All of us know Bruce because he brings us to a world of imagination and away from our problems and worries for a few hours.”

They continued, “It might not mean much coming from a stranger, but know that your family is in my thoughts and prayers. And thank you for showing the world what unconditional love is.”

Another person commented, “Simply beautiful, and thank you for sharing. May your daughters find the type of love you and Bruce share. Love you, and thank you for all you do and are doing.”

A third fan shared, “Even if he doesn’t say it or even if doesn’t remember how to show it, I’m sure he loves you very much. He’s blessed to have you by his side.”

Someone else added, “I feel this on so many levels. Happy anniversary. Know that you are not alone.”

Earlier this year, Emma, who shares two daughters, Mabel, 12, and Evelyn, 10, with the “Die Hard” actor, opened up about her decision to be transparent with their children regarding his diagnosis.

In an interview for the October issue of Town & Country Magazine, she explained why she “never tried to sugarcoat” the reality of Bruce’s illness from them.

“This disease is misdiagnosed, it’s missed, it’s misunderstood,” she shared. “So finally getting to a diagnosis was key so that I could learn what frontotemporal dementia is and I could educate our children.”

The “Red 2” actress emphasized her honest approach: “I’ve never tried to sugarcoat anything for them. They’ve grown up with Bruce declining over the years. I’m not trying to shield them from it.”

Reflecting on how the family navigates the journey of caring for Bruce amid his dementia struggle, Emma explained that it is essential to be honest with their kids.

“What I learned from our therapist [is] that if children ask questions, they’re ready to know the answer,” she told the Publication. “If we could see that Bruce was struggling, I would address it with the kids so they could understand, but this disease is chronic, progressive, and terminal.”

The actress admitted she chooses to focus on the present with their children, noting that she doesn’t “like to speak about the terminal side of this with them, nor have they asked.”

However, Emma noted that their young daughters “know that Daddy’s not going to get better.”

Before starting his family with Emma, Bruce was married to Demi Moore from 1987 to 2000. They have three daughters: Rumer, 36, Scout, 33, and Tallulah, 30.

During an appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show” in September, Moore, 62, provided an update on Bruce’s health, noting that “given the givens, he is in a stable place.”

Moore also shared how the advice she gives their daughters as they navigate their father’s diagnosis.

“What I say to my kids is you meet [him] where [he’s] at,” she explained. “You don’t hold on to who [who he was] or what you want [him] to be, but who [he is] in this moment.”

She added, “And from that, there is such beauty and joy and loving and sweetness. When I’m in LA, I go over every week, and I really treasure the time that we all share.”