It’s been an incredibly emotional month for the Willis family. On November 14, just days after Tallulah Willis described her father Bruce's frontotemporal dementia as “aggressive” and “very rare” during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, she took to Instagram to share some cherished old photos of herself with her dad. In the caption, she called him “my whole damn heart.” Then, on November 20, Rumer Willis posted a nostalgic picture of the Die Hard star holding her as a baby, expressing in the caption, “Really missing my papa today.” As Thanksgiving unfolded, Scout Willis shared touching videos of Bruce, the Emmy-winning actor, looking distant as he gently held her hand.
As they cling to their cherished memories, the Willis family is doing everything they can to create new ones this holiday season. “Christmas will be a very special time for the family this year, but it will also be bittersweet,” a source exclusively tells Closer. The blended family includes Bruce’s daughters Rumer, 35, Scout, 32, and Tallulah, 29, from his previous marriage to Demi Moore, 61, and his daughters Mabel, 11, and Evelyn, 9, with his current wife and caregiver, Emma Heming, 45. Since Bruce, 68, retired from acting in 2022 after being diagnosed with aphasia, a brain disorder that rapidly progressed into dementia nearly 10 months ago, the family has faced immense challenges. “It’s heartbreaking to see his memory fade, but his love never wavers. His eyes still light up when surrounded by his loved ones, who treasure every single day with Bruce,” the source shares. “But this Christmas just feels different, because — you never know — it could be his last.”
Family Holiday Plans: Making Every Moment Count
They’re determined to make this Christmas as meaningful as possible. “The plan is to follow their cherished Christmas tradition, with the entire family flying out to Idaho,” the source explains. “However, they also have a backup plan in case they need to make it easier for Bruce, which would involve staying in L.A.” Regardless of the location, the family is eager to revisit old memories by looking through photos, playing games, and, of course, donning their matching pajamas. These traditions hold a special place in their hearts and are a way to keep Bruce engaged and happy.
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Yet, the holidays won’t be the same as in years past. An insider reveals that Bruce no longer recognizes that Demi was the woman he was married to for 13 years and the mother of his eldest daughters. Old friend and Moonlighting creator Glenn Gordon Caron recently shared that Bruce is no longer “totally verbal” and spoke about him as if he were already gone. “There is no one who had more joie de vivre than he. He loved life and… just adored waking up every morning and trying to live life to its fullest,” Glenn said, describing it as if the action star “now sees life through a screen door.”
For Bruce’s family, the situation is far more challenging. In a recent essay, Emma wrote about the family’s journey, acknowledging the “grief, loss, and immense sadness” they’ve faced as his disease progresses. Despite this, she remains hopeful, expressing her belief in finding joy in the small things and in coming together to celebrate all the moments life has to offer. “We are learning to cherish every little moment, and that’s what keeps us going,” she wrote, offering a glimpse into the family's resilience and love for one another.
