On Father’s Day, Rumer Willis shared a deeply emotional message honoring her father, Bruce Willis, as he continues his battle with frontotemporal dementia. The beloved actor, best known for his iconic role in Die Hard, was diagnosed in 2023 following an earlier diagnosis of aphasia that led to his retirement from acting.
Taking to Instagram, Rumer opened up about her feelings, expressing how much she misses being able to connect with her dad the way she once did.
“Today is challenging,” she wrote. “I feel an ache in my chest wishing I could talk with you, hug you, and ask about life and your stories.”
Still, her message carried a tone of gratitude and love. “I know you wouldn’t want me to be sad today,” she continued. “So I will try to focus on how lucky I am that you’re my dad—and that I can still hold your hand and kiss your cheek.”
Rumer also shared a moment of joy, describing how Bruce’s face lights up when he sees her daughter, Louetta. She ended her message with a warm note to others: “To the single mothers who are also fathers, and to my future partner—Happy Father’s Day. ❤️”
Bruce’s wife, Emma Heming Willis, also honored him on the special day. Since his diagnosis, Emma has become a compassionate voice for raising awareness about frontotemporal dementia. In a 2024 interview with Town & Country, she reflected on the early signs of his condition.
“At first, it seemed like a stutter,” she said. “I never imagined it could be dementia.”
Emma described the condition as something that unfolds quietly, making it difficult to pinpoint when certain changes began. Still, through every stage, the Willis family remains united, focusing on love, care, and togetherness.
