Bruce Willis was all smiles as he posed with his daughters Tallulah and Scout in a pair of rare photos to celebrate Thanksgiving.
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Tallulah and Scout both shared the images, in which the dementia-stricken Die Hard star held a nameplate that read “Best Dad Ever,” to their Instagram with the caption, “Grateful.”
In the first slide, Tallulah caressed her dad’s ear while Scout placed her hand over his heart. In the second picture, Scout and Bruce touched foreheads while Tallulah looked on lovingly.
Earlier this week, Tallulah also shared throwback pictures of herself with her mom and dad, writing, “I love this photo of me and my parents!!! How cute!! At Rumer’s 30th.”
Willis, 69, shares daughters Rumer, 36, Scout, 33, and Tallulah, 30 with ex-partner Demi Moore, and has two other children — Mabel, 12, and Evelyn, 10 — with wife Emma Heming Willis.
Willis’ legion of fans took to the comments section to react to the family photo, with one person thanking the girls for making her feel less alone as she struggles with a parent who also has dementia.
“Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your story,” they wrote. “It helps feel less lonely on this journey.”
“I am grateful for these photos of your wonderful father, a man with a beautiful soul and heart,” another added. “Thank you for sharing this with his fans who love him and remember him.”
Willis stepped away from acting in March 2022 after his family revealed he was suffering from aphasia — a neurological affliction that leaves a person unable to communicate.
Last year, his loved ones said his condition had worsened and he had been diagnosed with a type of dementia known as frontotemporal dementia.
“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,” they shared.
According to the Mayo Clinic, frontotemporal dementia is an “umbrella term for a group of brain disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas of the brain are generally associated with personality, behaviour and language.”
Last month, Heming, who married the actor back in 2009, told Town & Country that his youngest children knew something was wrong before he his affliction was confirmed by doctors.
“I’ve never tried to sugarcoat anything for them. They’ve grown up with Bruce declining over the years,” she told the magazine.
As a result, she has decided to be open with their two daughters about her husband’s illness.
“What I learned from our therapist was that if children ask questions, they’re ready to know the answer … They know that Daddy’s not going to get better,” she said.
Since going public with his tragic news, Heming has become a vocal advocate for FTD awareness.
“I’m not going to allow FTD to take our whole family down. Bruce wouldn’t want that,” she said. “They’re going to see me fight for our family, have some hope and help the next family out there.”