Bruce Willis’ wife holds back tears as she celebrates his 68th birthday with a heartfelt message

Bruce Willis’ wife, Emma Heming, has shared an emotional message on the actor’s 68th birthday.

Heming took to Instagram to talk about the difficulty of a day like someone's birthday while they are struggling with dementia.

“So today is my husband's birthday,” she began.

“I have started the morning by crying. 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.”

Heming became teary-eyed when describing that she had created a montage of videos to celebrate her husband’s birthday.

She added that watching the videos felt like 'a knife in her heart.'

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.”

Many were quick to commend Heming for her transparency, as one person wrote: “This is beautiful Emma.”

Another said in part: “Give Bruce a couple extra hugs from me and my family today! Wish I could hug you today too! I’m sorry for the mix of emotions you’re feeling. Birthdays are so bittersweet.”

While a third shared: “Please don’t be afraid to cry - anywhere, everywhere, whenever, openly or privately. It’s not a shameful or embarrassing act. It’s love, it’s grief, it’s sadness, it’s joy - it’s human and it’s OK.”

The actor’s family announced in March last year that he would retire from acting after being diagnosed with aphasia, which is a language disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate.

Last month, he was officially diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

FTD affects the lobes of the brain behind the forehead, which results in the loss of function in the brain regions and causes deterioration in behavior, personality and/or difficulty with producing or comprehending language.

Heming, ex-wife Demi Moore, and five daughters posted the following statement on The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration's website: "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.

"FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone. For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know.

"Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. As Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research.

"Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately.

"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 disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families."