Demi Moore is speaking out in support of Bruce Willis’ wife, Emma Heming Willis, after she came under fire for her caretaking decisions. Moore recently spoke with Oprah Winfrey on The Oprah Podcast, where she defended Emma against critics, showing her compassion and support for the difficult journey the family is on.
The actress made it clear that there’s “no road map for how to deal with this” kind of situation, which she believes puts an incredible amount of pressure on Emma to figure things out. The criticism stems from Emma’s recent decision to move Bruce into a separate home with professional caregivers as his condition worsened.
Moore said, “There is no road map for how to deal with this,” she said. “So much fell on Emma to really figure this whole thing out. And the most beautiful thing, and she talks about this in the book, was recognizing the importance for caregivers that they have to take care of themselves. If they don’t put that time into making sure that they’re OK, then they can’t show up for anyone else.”
Demi Moore thinks everyone is too hard on Bruce Willis’ wife
Moore praised Emma for her handling of the situation, noting that Emma has done a “masterful job” navigating what she calls “equal amounts of fear and strength and courage.”
Emma posted a video on Facebook with the caption, “Too often, caregivers are judged quickly and unfairly by those who haven’t lived this journey or stood on the front lines of it. Sharing openly may invite opinions, but more importantly, it creates connection and validation for those actually navigating the realities of caregiving every day. That’s who I share for and so I can build a deeper connection with a community that understands this journey.”
Moore also spoke about her own feelings on watching her ex-husband battle dementia. She told Winfrey that it’s “There’s no way that anybody could have anticipated where this was going to go, and I really think she’s done a masterful job. She has been so dedicated to forging the right path. She’s had equal amounts of fear and strength and courage in navigating this.”
Moore cautioned against having an expectation for him to be who he once was, explaining that replaying what has been lost only creates grief and anxiety. She instead finds “an incredible sweetness” and a “soft and tender and loving” side to him when she stays present. She added that while their connection “may not always be verbal,” it is “beautiful, given the givens.”
The blended family, including Moore, Bruce’s daughters from their marriage, and Emma and Bruce’s two daughters, has remained incredibly close over the years. They often celebrate holidays and other family milestones together, and have continued to support one another through the challenges of Bruce’s diagnosis.
