Emma Heming Willis has marked a deeply personal milestone in her relationship with Bruce Willis, sharing a rare glimpse into their love story as the actor continues to live with dementia.
The 47-year-old model and actress took to social media this week to reflect on the couple’s long journey together, reminding fans that their relationship spans nearly two decades.
Bruce Willis, now 70, stepped away from acting in 2022 after being diagnosed with aphasia, before his family later confirmed he was living with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in early 2023.
Since then, Emma has become a strong advocate for caregivers while also offering occasional updates on their family life.
A Quiet Milestone for the Willis Family
Rather than marking the moment with a big announcement, Emma chose a simple Instagram post – one image, no fanfare – to quietly acknowledge the anniversary.
The photo showed the couple seated together at what appeared to be a dinner table.
Emma looked relaxed and content, smiling slightly as Bruce leaned in close. It was understated, intimate, and very much in keeping with how the family has chosen to navigate life in recent years.
Fans quickly flooded the comments with messages of support, praising the couple’s enduring bond and Emma’s openness during an incredibly difficult chapter.
The Couple’s Life Together Away From the Spotlight
Emma and Bruce married in 2009 and share two daughters, Mabel Ray, born in 2012, and Evelyn Penn, born in 2014. Bruce is also father to three daughters – Rumer, Scout and Tallulah – from his previous marriage to Demi Moore.
Despite decades in Hollywood, Emma has previously said their family life has always come first, describing their world as “busy,” “full,” and “fun,” particularly when Bruce wasn’t filming.
Those close to the family have often spoken about Bruce as a hands-on dad, someone who would happily ditch the Hollywood image to make his kids laugh.
The Moment That Started It All
It wasn’t until the fifth paragraph of her post that Emma revealed the deeply personal memory that marked the start of everything.
“18 years ago, he became my boyfriend,” she wrote. “With one kiss on the top of my head, time stood still.”
“I’m so lucky to know this kind of love,” she added.
Emma has previously explained that their love story truly began during a 2007 family holiday to Turks and Caicos, when she joined Bruce, his ex-wife Demi Moore and their children on vacation.
“I got to see this other side of Bruce – the family man,” she later told PEOPLE. “On that trip, I ended up falling for him really hard. That was the start of our love story.”
Living With Dementia, Finding Joy Where They Can
Ahead of the holiday season, Emma also spoke candidly about how life has changed since Bruce’s dementia diagnosis.
“It’s joyous. It’s just different,” she said, explaining that while traditions look different now, the family has adapted.
Bruce’s love of Christmas remains, and Emma admitted one tradition still stands firm. “I think it’s important to put Die Hard on because it’s a Christmas movie,” she joked.
“You have to learn and adapt and make new memories,” she said. “Dementia is hard, but there is still joy. We are still laughing. It just looks different.”