Bruce Willis speaks publicly for first time since dementia diagnosis while celebrating 68th birthday

Steve Hopkins

‘He is pure love’

Bruce Willis has spoken a few words publicly for the first time since his dementia diagnosis, as he appeared to be overcome with joy during celebrations marking his 68th birthday.

Bruce’s ex-wife, Demi Moore, posted a heartwarming video of his family getting together Sunday to mark the Die Hard actor’s birthday, just weeks after his diagnosis was made public. That news came after the performer was earlier diagnosed with aphasia, a condition affecting the brain which causes difficulty with language and speech. He withdrew from acting last year.

Watch the video here.

Bruce’s wife Emma Heming also posted an emotional tribute to mark her husband’s birthday.

In a video posted to Instagram on Sunday, Emma said she had “started the morning by crying” and described a video tribute she compiled as a “knife in my heart”.

The 44-year-old said: “As you can see by my swollen eyes and snotty nose, I just think it’s important you see all sides of this.

“I always get this message or people always tell me like, ‘Oh you’re so strong, I don’t know how you do it.’ I’m not given a choice. I wish I was. But I’m also raising two kids in this.

“So sometimes in our lives we have to put our big girl panties on and get to it. And that’s what I’m doing. But I do have times of sadness every day. Grief every day. And I’m really feeling it today on his birthday.”

In a second video Emma described a video she had been working on for Bruce, which she later posted.

She said: “So I worked on this reel that I’m posting for my husband’s birthday. I don’t know why I do that because the videos are like a knife in my heart.

“But as much as I do it for myself I do it for you. Because I know how much you love my husband and – don’t cry Emma – but it means so much to me so thank you.”

The video, accompanied by a Stevie Wonder song, was a montage of Bruce through the years.

Emma, who shares daughters Mabel, 10, and Evelyn, 8, with the actor, wrote in the caption: “He is pure love. He is so loved. And I’ll be loving him always. Happy Birthday my sweet.”

She continued: “My birthday wish for Bruce is that you continue to keep him in your prayers and highest vibrations because his sensitive Pisces soul will feel it.”

Emma ended the post by writing: “Thank you so much for loving and caring for him too.’

Bruce also shares Rumer, 34, Scout, 31, and Tallulah, 29, with ex-wife Demi, to whom he was married from 1987–2000.

Demi joined Emma and Bruce and his three adult daughters for a little birthday celebration, where the actress recorded the heartwarming video.

In a caption on her post, Demi wrote: “So glad we could celebrate you today. Love you and love our family. Thank you to everyone for the love and warm wishes — we all feel them.”