Emma Heming Willis took to Instagram after a hike to give an update.
Life has changed dramatically for Heming Willis and her husband, actor Bruce Willis, following his diagnosis with frontotemporal dementia.
But she is committed to caring for her health, too.
Heming Willis has asked fellow “care partners” to send her photos of beautiful moments to emphasize how crucial quality of life is for caregivers, too. She said those pictures have been a bright spot in her routine.
“I just think it’s so important for us to sort of break up our thinking, which can feel, for me, very much like doom and gloom,” she said, wearing a hat from the hike. “So I know it looks like I’m out living my best life. I have to make a conscious effort every single day to live the best life that I can. I do that for myself, I do that for our two children, and Bruce, who would not want me to live any other way.”
“I don’t want it to be misconstrued that I’m good, because I’m not, I’m not good,” Heming Willis continued. “But I have to put my best foot forward for the sake of myself and my family because again, when we are not looking after ourselves, we cannot look after anyone that we love.”
Willis, 68, who was born in Germany and grew up in Carneys Point, retired from acting in 2022 after he was diagnosed with aphasia. The frontotemporal dementia diagnosis followed. The Emmy and Golden Globe winner became an action hero in the “Die Hard” films after starring in the TV series “Moonlighting.”
Before he reached superstar status, Willis attended Penns Grove High School, worked at Salem Nuclear Power Plant and studied drama at Montclair State University.
The actor has daughters Mabel, 11, and Evelyn, 9, with Heming Willis, and three adult daughters with ex-wife Demi Moore: Rumer, 35, Tallulah, 29, and Scout, 32. Moore, Heming Willis and their children celebrated Willis’ 68th birthday together in March.
Heming Willis said redirecting the doom and gloom doesn’t come easily.
“I’m just doing the best that I can always,” she said, asking caregivers to look for something beautiful in their day.
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Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup on Twitter.