Emma Heming, the wife of Hollywood legend Bruce Willis, has opened up about one of the most difficult choices she’s ever had to make—moving her husband into a separate home as his dementia progresses. At 70, the Die Hard star has been battling the disease for two years, and while his health remains stable, his cognitive decline has reshaped the family’s life in profound ways.

During an interview with Diane Sawyer for an ABC special on August 26, Heming revealed that she relocated Bruce into a quieter home not far from where she lives with their daughters, Mabel, 13, and Evelyn, 11. The decision, she explained, wasn’t made lightly. “It was one of the hardest decisions that I’ve had to make so far,” she admitted. “But I knew, first and foremost, Bruce would want that for our daughters. He would want them to be in a home that was more tailored to their needs, not his.”

The separation, Heming emphasized, is not about pulling away from Bruce but creating an environment where both he and the children can thrive. Their family home is full of energy, noise, and activity—perfect for two growing girls, but not ideal for someone whose illness requires calm and quiet.

Despite the painful changes, Heming says there are still flashes of recognition and connection with Bruce, even if they don’t last long. “Not days, but we get moments,” she shared. “Sometimes you’ll see that twinkle in his eye or hear that laugh, and it’s like being transported back.” She added that those moments, fleeting as they may be, are what she holds on to. “I don’t need him to remember our wedding date or to know I’m his wife—I just want that connection. And I do feel it.”

Bruce’s dementia has advanced to the point that he can no longer speak, leaving his family to find new ways to communicate with him. Still, Heming says his presence remains strong, and his health outside of the illness is good. “It’s just his brain that is failing him,” she explained.

The emotional toll on Heming has been immense. She recalled a moment when Bruce’s daughter from his marriage to Demi Moore, Scout LaRue Willis, pointed out how deeply the illness was affecting her as well. “I’ll never forget when Scout said that to me. It hit me that I was losing myself in all of this, and I needed to get it together.”

Despite the challenges, Heming makes sure that she and the children visit Bruce often, describing those visits as filled with love, laughter, and warmth. Still, she admits the journey has been grueling—not only because of the disease itself but because of the judgment she’s faced after publicly sharing their decision to live separately.

In a heartfelt Instagram video posted on August 30, Heming addressed critics who accused her of abandoning her husband. She pushed back, pointing out that those quick to judge often have no idea what it’s like to be a caregiver for someone with dementia. “Too often, caregivers are judged quickly and unfairly by those who haven’t lived this journey or stood on the front lines of it,” she said. She added that by sharing her family’s reality openly, she hopes to bring comfort and validation to other caregivers facing the same struggles.

According to the World Health Organization, dementia affects more than 57 million people worldwide, a number expected to rise sharply in the coming years. Heming has since committed herself to raising awareness about the disease, hoping her family’s story will shed light on the complex challenges caregivers face daily.

For Heming, the focus is on gratitude and cherishing what remains. “It’s hard, but I’m grateful. I’m grateful that my husband is still very much here,” she said. And while the road ahead remains uncertain, she continues to honor the love and connection that persists, even in the face of loss.