Tallulah Willis (left) and Bruce Willis (Getty Images)
Tallulah, Bruce Willis’ daughter, recently shared an update on how her family is coping with his dementia diagnosis. Bruce, 69, has frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a rare type of dementia that affects behavior and language and gets worse over time.
Tallulah admitted that she’s just starting to really deal with her emotions about her dad’s condition, after trying to avoid them before. On Instagram, she posted pictures of them together, saying, “I love this guy so much. It’s hard to feel these emotions, but I’m thankful I can now instead of pushing them away.”
She also shared some old photos of them hugging, having dinner, and looking through his old magazine covers, calling them memories “from the forever archives.” Last month, she spoke on the Today Show, saying that while Bruce is stable, it’s a tough situation with good and bad days, but there’s still a lot of love in their family.
Tallulah, Bruce Willis’ daughter, shared that her dad’s diagnosis has taught her to use her time more wisely and appreciate every moment she spends with her family, especially with him.
She said, “It’s made me realize not to take any moment for granted, and I really believe we’d be best friends. I think he’s very proud of me. You have to live in the moment and be present.”
In March 2022, Bruce was first diagnosed with aphasia, a condition that affects communication skills. Later, his other daughter, Rumer, shared that he got a more specific diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a rare and more aggressive type of dementia.
For Two Years, I Hid from My Parents That I Have a Son – Yesterday, They Accidentally Found Out
My parents weren’t a part of my life for several years, and when they came back into it, they left me shaken! They unraveled a truth I didn’t know I needed to learn, and while it caused more of a rift, it ultimately brought all those involved closer.
Sometimes life throws blows that we don’t understand, and that’s the case in my story. One day, some people quite dear to me reentered my life with the most difficult news. What they told me altered my relationship with them and my young son forever. Read on to find out more.
It was a Saturday afternoon, the kind that begged for relaxation. I was home with my two-year-old son, Ethan, enjoying the rare quiet moments when the doorbell rang. My heart skipped a beat. I wasn’t expecting anyone.
As I opened the door, my parents stood there, their expressions a mix of surprise and confusion. For two years, we didn’t see each other at all. We talked occasionally, but those conversations were very tense.
“Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?” I asked, trying to mask my anxiety as my parents made an unannounced visit.
“We were in the neighborhood and thought we’d drop by,” my mom said, her eyes widening as she noticed Ethan in my arms.
You should’ve seen my dad’s face when he saw me holding my son. He turned a shade of pale I’d never seen before. “Who’s this?” my mother demanded, pointing at Ethan.
“This is my son and your grandchild, Ethan,” I replied, my voice trembling.
The first thing my father said, his voice rising, was, “This is not your child! I see it right away!” His words hit me like a truck. I was stunned.
“Of course he is! What are you talking about?” I shot back, feeling a wave of defensiveness wash over me.
“We need to sit down and talk,” my mom interjected, her voice calmer but equally firm. We moved to the kitchen, Ethan clinging to my side. Sitting around the kitchen table, the air was thick with tension.
I took a deep breath and began, “I was 19 when I found out Kate was pregnant.” I continued, “It would’ve been fine, but you both made it clear how much you were totally against her.”
“I knew you’d never accept our relationship, and I loved her very much, so I didn’t tell you about the pregnancy.”
“What?” my father muttered under his breath.
“I went against your wishes and stayed with Kate. That’s why over the years I’ve drifted away from you.” Sighing, I explained, “I became a single father at age 19.”
“You should have told us,” my dad said, frustration etched into his features. “We could have helped.”
Years later, when Ethan was old enough to understand, I told him the truth. It was a difficult conversation, but it brought us even closer. He knew that despite everything, I had chosen to be his father, and that choice was rooted in love.
My relationship with my parents remained strained for a while, but they eventually came to accept my decision. They saw the bond between Ethan and me and realized that family is defined by love. Plus, they weren’t willing to lose me and their grandchild for another few years.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. The journey was tough, but it taught me the true meaning of parenthood. Ethan and I faced many challenges, but we faced them together. And in the end, that’s all that mattered.
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