Emma Heming Willis Pens Emotional 17th Anniversary Tribute to Husband Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis and Emma Heming attend the "Glass" New York premiere at SVA Theater in New York City on Jan. 15, 2019. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Emma Heming Willis shared an emotional tribute to her husband, Bruce Willis, over the weekend, highlighting their 17-year relationship.

On Sunday, the model posted a photo on Instagram of the couple standing in the waters off Parrot Cay, an island in the Turks and Caicos.

In the caption, Heming Willis, 46, reflected on the complex emotions she feels amid the actor’s ongoing battle with dementia.

She wrote: “17 years of us. 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.

“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.”

The couple began dating in 2007 before tying the knot in March 2009.

They went on to welcome two daughters, Mabel and Evelyn, in 2012 and 2014, respectively. Willis, 69, also shares three daughters—Rumer, 36; Scout, 33; and Tallulah, 30—with his ex-wife, actress Demi Moore.

The Willises marked their 15th wedding anniversary earlier this year, a milestone that Heming Willis celebrated on social media.

“Today, I can make a choice. I can wallow in sorrow or I can celebrate it. I call this the ’remarkable reframe.' What I know is there is so much to celebrate,” the model wrote alongside a photo of the couple sharing a kiss.

“Our union and connection is probably stronger than ever. We have two bright, fun and healthy daughters. We have a family unit that is built on mutual respect and admiration.

“And simply, I just love and adore the man I married. I’m so proud of what we have and continue to create. So happy crystal anniversary to us!”

Dementia Diagnosis

Heming Willis has served as her husband’s caregiver in recent years as he navigates his health challenges.

In March 2022, Willis’s family announced on social media that the “Die Hard” star was stepping away from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia, a language disorder that affects communication.

“This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support,” she said in a joint statement with Moore and Willis’s five children.

“We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him.”

Tallulah and Bruce Willis attend the Comedy Central Roast of the actor at Hthe ollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on July 14, 2018. Neilson Barnard/Getty Images For Comedy Central

However, on Feb. 16, 2023, Willis’s family revealed that his condition had progressed and that he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.

“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,” Heming Willis wrote on Instagram.

According to the Mayo Clinic, frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, is a group of brain disorders that affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, causing them to shrink.

The symptoms of FTD progressively worsen over time, leading to a range of behavioral changes, such as loss of empathy or lack of judgment, as well as language disruptions, including difficulties with writing and speaking.

In rare cases, frontotemporal dementia can impair movement, leading to symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease and ALS, such as tremors, muscle spasms, and difficulty walking.

Heming Willis is poised to share her experiences caring for Willis in her forthcoming book, “The Unexpected Journey: Finding Hope and Purpose on the Caregiving Path.”

The inspirational support guide, expected to be published in September 2025, aims to help caregivers learn to also care for themselves, according to an official synopsis.

“With The Unexpected Journey, Emma has written the book she wishes she’d had: a guide to navigating the complicated, heartbreaking, and transformative experience that is caregiving for your loved one with dementia,” the synopsis reads.

“Weaving her personal journey as a care partner with the latest research and insights from the world’s top dementia and caregiving experts, she offers the guidance and wisdom caregivers everywhere so desperately need to hear.”

Announcing the release of her new book, the mother of two reflected on the far-reaching effects of dementia.

“When FTD, or any form of dementia, touches your life, it’s hard to not be forever changed by its impact,” Heming Willis said via Instagram on Feb. 5.

“My hope is that this book will provide comfort and hope to the next care partner as they embark on their new journey or for those, like myself, who are on it.”