Bruce Willis and Demi Moore: Even divorce could not destroy a magical friendship
Bruce Willis' family announced on Wednesday, March 30, that he is “stepping away” from his acting career after being diagnosed with aphasia, a brain disorder. The family posted a joint statement on social media announcing that Willis, 67, is retiring.
"To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities. As a result of this and with much consideration Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him," the family wrote on Instagram.
READ MORE
"This is a really challenging time for our family and we are so appreciative of your continued love, compassion and support. We are moving through this as a strong family unit, and wanted to bring his fans in because we know how much he means to you, as you do to him. As Bruce always says, “Live it up” and together we plan to do just that," the family added, signing off as "Emma, Demi, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, & Evelyn".
Moore's name appears on the family statement and even in the past where Willis' wife Emma Heming had no qualms with her spending Covid-19 lockdown with them. This goes on to show the great bond the exes share even today.
Bruce Willis and Demi Moore
Willis married actress Moore in 1987 and share three daughters: Rumer born in 1988, Scout born in 1991 and Tallulah born in 1994. In June 1998, Willis and Moore announced their separation and filed for divorce soon after. At the time, Willis had said of the divorce, "I felt I had failed as a father and a husband by not being able to make it work." He appreciated Will Smith for helping him get through the situation. However, he remained friends with Moore and attended her subsequent wedding with Ashton Kutcher.
Willis and Moore remained close even after they ended their marriage and their friendly relationship is how co-parenting goals are described. Moore and Willis met at the premiere for 'Stakeout', which starred Moore’s then-fiancé Emilio Estevez. She was previously married to Freddie Moore. Moore’s first impression of Willis wasn’t exactly positive. The actress had revealed in her memoir that she thought he seemed like “kind of a jerk.” Still, Willis was determined to have her and he eventually succeeded.
Willis and Moore made headlines last year when they quarantined with their daughters during the pandemic. At the time, Moore said that she cherishes the fact that she got a chance to reconnect as a family.
After their separation, Willis had told Rolling Stone, "I still love Demi. We’re very close. We have three children whom we will continue to raise together, and we’re probably as close now as we ever were. We realize we have a lifelong commitment to our kids. Our friendship continues. The institution has been set aside … It’s difficult to live your life and marriage under a magnifying glass, which is what happens to movie star couples.”
Willis was later engaged to actress Brooke Burns, but they split in 2004 after being together for ten months. He then married model Emma Heming in Turks and Caicos on March 21, 2009. The pair has two daughters: Mabel and Evelyn. After both of Rumer's parents had remarried, she revealed to Larry King in 2015, "I’m so thankful and grateful that my parents made such an effort at that time. They always made an effort to do all of the family events still together and made such an effort to still have our family be as one unit, as opposed to two separate things, which I think really made an impact.” Rumer's revealation was an insight into how the two stars managed to successfully co-parent their kids.
Moore not attended her ex-husband's marriage but also attended Willis and Heming’s 10-year vow renewal back in 2019, proving the two have genuinely connected as friends and not just because of their children. Moore wrote in her memoir that she’s “very proud” of her and Willis’ divorce. “It wasn’t easy at first, but we managed to move the heart of our relationship, the heart of what created our family, into something new that gave the girls a loving, supportive environment with both parents.”