Emma Heming Willis is making a public request for the paparazzi to give her husband, legendary actor Bruce Willis, some space.
The Die Hard star – who has now stepped away from Hollywood – is living with frontotemporal dementia following a diagnosis of aphasia last year. In a post on Instagram, Emma appeals to the photographers and videographers who’ve been following Bruce lately, asking them to back off:
“If you are someone that is looking after someone with dementia, you know how difficult and stressful it can be to get someone out into the world and just to navigate them safely, even just to get a cup of coffee. And I’m just seeing headlines, and there’s a video of my husband out, getting some coffee with some friends that did a standout job at protecting him,” she begins before restarting the camera as she becomes visibly emotional.
“It’s clear there’s still a lot of education that needs to be put forth. So this one is going out the photographers and the video people that are trying to get those exclusives of my husband out and about. Just keep your space.”
She adds that she understands the paparazzi’s job is to get these photos and videos but asks that they “don’t be yelling” at him or “asking him how he’s doing.”
“The woo-hooing and the yippee-ki-yays, just don’t do it, okay? Give him space. Allow for our family or for whoever is with him that day to be able to get him from Point A to Point B safely.”
Emma’s message was accompanied by a call to fellow care-givers around the world to share “any tips or advice on how to get your loved ones out in the world safely.”
See her message in full below:
Bruce and Emma tied the knot in 2009 and have two daughters, 10-year-old Mabel Ray and 8-year-old Evelyn Penn. Bruce is also dad to his three children (now adults) with ex-wife Demi Moore, Rumer, Scout and Tallula.
Since Bruce’s diagnosis, his entire family has been dedicated to raising awareness about dementia. In a joint statement published on the Association of Frontotemporal Degeneration’s website, the Willis and Moore women write:
“We know in our hearts that – if he could today – he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating diseas and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.”
(Feature Image Credit: FeatureFlash Photo Agency/Shutterstock)