Doctors have diagnosed Bruce Willis with frontotemporal dementia, a form of dementia that mainly damages the front parts of the brain. The family of the 67-year-old Hollywood star announced this on Thursday. “While it’s painful, it’s a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”
Last March, Willis’s family announced the end of his acting career after it became known that he suffers from aphasia, a language disorder that results from an acquired brain injury. The disorder affects his “cognitive abilities,” his family wrote. “That’s why, after much thought, Bruce is stepping away from the career that means so much to him.”
More is now known about the actor’s health, his family said in a statement on Thursday. They say they are grateful for the many messages of support and beautiful stories that Willis received in the past year and decided to provide an update on his condition in this context.
“After we announced in the spring of 2022 that Bruce had been diagnosed with aphasia, his condition has worsened. We now have a specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD). Unfortunately, communication problems are just one symptom of the illness Bruce faces. Although it is painful, it is a relief that there is finally a clear diagnosis,” said the actor’s family.
Cruel disease
In the extensive statement, the family writes that frontotemporal dementia is “a cruel disease that many people have probably never heard of.” Yet it can affect anyone. “For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because it can take years to be diagnosed, FTD is probably much more common than we know,” it read.
There is still no treatment, Willis’ family writes. They hope that it will come in the future and will therefore work to bring the disease to the attention of the media and to create awareness among the people. Bruce would have loved to play a part in that by seeking out the media and raising awareness. However, this is not possible due to his condition.
“We are moved by the love you all have shared for our dear husband, father and friend during this difficult time,” the family said in a statement signed by Willis’ wife Emma, his ex-wife Demi Moore and his five children. “Your continued compassion, understanding and respect will ensure that we can help Bruce live the best life possible.”
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