Bruce Willis’ wife has poignantly told their daughter Mabel Ray to “keep shining” on her 11th birthday.
Bruce Willis’ wife has poignantly told their daughter Mabel Ray to ‘keep shining’ on her 11th birthday
Emma Heming Willis, 44, posted a carousel of pictures and videos of the little girl playing with her and Bruce at the weekend to mark her big day on April 1, with one poignant clip showing the dementia-stricken ‘Die Hard’ actor playing harmonica as Mabel sat at the piano.
The proud mum captioned her post: “Happy 11th Birthday Mabel Ray! Your energy is infectious.
|You can light a whole room with your smile and warmth. How you love and care for your family and friends is beautiful to witness.
“Keep shining my love and always remember to #liveitup.”
Last month, Emma fought tears as she marked Bruce’s 68th birthday with an emotional online video.
The model shared her devastation in February over the retired actor’s health woes in a joint statement with the rest of his family.
She said in her clip in March revealing her sadness as he nears 70: “So today is my husband’s birthday. I have started the morning by crying. As you can see by my swollen eyes and snotty nose, I just think it’s important you see all sides of this.
“I always get this message or people always tell me like, ‘Oh you’re so strong, I don't know how you do it.’ I’m not given a choice. I wish I was. But I’m also raising two kids in this.
“So sometimes in our lives we have to put our big girl panties on and get to it. And that’s what I’m doing. But I do have times of sadness every day. Grief everyday. And I’m really feeling it today on his birthday.”
Bruce last year withdrew from acting after he was diagnosed with brain disorder aphasia, and his family said in February he’d been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.
A joint statement from his ex-wife Demi Moore, Emma and his five children – two of whom he has with the model – said: “Our family wanted to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love, support and wonderful stories we have all received since sharing Bruce’s original diagnosis.
“In the spirit of that, we wanted to give you an update about our beloved husband, father and friend since we now have a deeper understanding of what he is experiencing.
“Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD.)
“Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces.
“While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”
The statement was signed off by Emma, Demi, 60, and Bruce’s daughters Rumer, 34, Scout, 31, Tallulah, 29 – who Bruce had with Demi – and his girls Mabel and eight-year-old Evelyn who he had with Emma.
The actor’s rare condition – which consists of less than five per cent of all dementia cases – affects the lobes of the brain behind the forehead, which deal with behaviour, problem-solving, planning and emotions.
Symptoms can include personality changes, such as appearing rude, uninterested and unsympathetic, along with repeated, compulsive movements, hoarding and obsessions as well as craving unhealthy food.
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