Demi Moore is publicly supporting Emma Heming, the wife of her ex-husband Bruce Willis, as Emma navigates the challenges of caring for Bruce amid his frontotemporal dementia (FTD) diagnosis. Moore's support comes after Heming faced criticism for disclosing that she and Bruce Willis no longer live together and that he resides in a specialized care facility.
Moore, who was married to Willis from 1987 to 2000, expressed her support for Heming on The Oprah Podcast, praising her strength and calling her approach "masterful". She empathized with Heming, highlighting the difficulty of the situation and the lack of a "roadmap" for dealing with such a challenging illness. Moore commended Heming for recognizing the importance of self-care for caregivers, emphasizing that caregivers need to prioritize their well-being to effectively care for others.
Moore acknowledged her unique position as Willis's ex-wife but emphasized the close-knit nature of their family. She expressed compassion for Heming, particularly noting that Heming is navigating this difficult journey at a young age. Moore highlighted that Heming has shown dedication, fear, strength, and courage in finding the right path forward for Bruce's care.
Heming, who married Willis in 2009, has been open about the struggles of caring for someone with FTD. She has faced scrutiny for her decisions, including placing Willis in a specialized care facility, with some critics accusing her of being selfish. However, Moore's public support underscores the importance of prioritizing both the patient's and the caregiver's well-being.
Moore also believes that Heming's upcoming book, The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path, will be a valuable resource for others in similar situations. Moore's support highlights the importance of family unity and understanding when dealing with difficult health challenges.