Real-Life Love
A Deep Dive Into Bruce Willis’ Wife Emma Heming Willis, Their Love Story & Blended Family
Emma Heming Willis is opening up about her life with husband Bruce Willis since his 2023 frontotemporal dementia diagnosis. In a new Diane Sawyer special, titled Emma & Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey, and her upcoming book, The Unexpected Journey, Emma chronicles her love story with the Moonlighting actor and how they’re navigating his health.
Emma and Bruce fell in love after his highly publicized divorce from Demi Moore. Bruce’s diagnosis has united the family, creating a circle of support around the man they all love. From how Emma and Bruce met to their children, Swooon is doing a deep dive into Bruce’s wife, Emma Heming Willis, and their relationship.
How did Emma and Bruce Willis meet?
Emma and Bruce first met in 2007 at their mutual trainer’s gym. “When we first met, I was surprised at how charming and how funny he was — and extremely handsome,” Emma told People in a joint 2020 interview with the actor, who is 23 years her senior. Willis chimed in, “I was already in love with her.”
They made their first appearance as a couple in 2008, when Emma joined Bruce at the premiere of What Just Happened? at the Sundance Film Festival.
When did Emma and Bruce Willis get married?
After more than one year of dating, Emma and Bruce got married on March 21, 2009, in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Emma penned a loving message in honor of her and Bruce’s 16th wedding anniversary. “Today marks 16 years with the love of a lifetime. We’ve shared monumental highs and devastating lows, and through it all, we’ve built something timeless. I’m so deeply grateful for every chapter I’ve had with him and all the ones we’ll continue to write, in our language of unconditional love,” she wrote in March.
Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for IMG
Bruce was previously married to Demi, whom he married in 1987. Bruce and Demi separated in 1998 and filed for divorce on October 18, 2000, with their split finalized later that day. They have three daughters: Rumer (born in 1988), Scout (born in 1991), and Talulah (Born in 1994).
Emma and Bruce’s ex-wife have a close bond. “We will always be a family, just in a different form. For me, there was never a question. I show up because that’s what you do for the people you love,” Demi told Variety in February. “I hope it’s encouraging for others to see that there’s a different way to do things. There is life after divorce. There is a way to coparent with love.”
Does Emma Heming Willis have kids with Bruce Willis?
Yes, Emma and Bruce welcomed twin daughters, Mabel, who was born in 2012, and Evelyn, who was born in 2014. Bruce has always loved being a girl dad to five daughters. “I can’t imagine having five boys,” he previously told People. “I can’t imagine having one boy.”
What does Emma Heming Willis do for a living?
Before she met Bruce, Emma worked as a model. She walked runways for Christian Dior, Chanel, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, and more. She was also a spokesmodel for La Senza, a Canadian lingerie company. Emma founded the coconut oil-based skincare brand CocoBaba in 2016.
Since Bruce’s frontotemporal dementia diagnosis, Emma has become her husband’s care partner. She is also an advocate for care partners and dementia awareness. In her ABC News interview, Emma revealed that she first noticed something was wrong with her husband when he began losing his words and a childhood stutter resurfaced. “He felt a little removed, very cold,” Emma said. “Not like Bruce, who was very warm and affectionate. The complete opposite of that was alarming and scary.”
The Die Hard star was initially diagnosed with aphasia, which then progressed into frontotemporal dementia. “I don’t think Bruce ever really connected the dots,” Emma revealed about her husband’s reaction to the diagnosis. Emma admitted that she “didn’t understand” Bruce’s diagnosis at the time. “I was so panicked. I just remember hearing it and just not hearing anything else. It was like I was free-falling,” she said.
Emma and Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey – A Diane Sawyer Special, Tuesday, August, 26, 8/7c, ABC
