### Emma Heming Willis on the Evolving Joy of the Holidays
Emma Heming Willis shared with *PEOPLE* during the End Well 2025 conference that the holiday season continues to bring happiness to her family, even though life looks quite different now. Her husband, actor Bruce Willis, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2023, which has reshaped many aspects of their daily life.
> “It’s still joyous, it just looks different,” Emma said, describing how her family’s celebrations have transformed with time.
### Embracing Change and Cherishing Connection
Emma explained that she focuses on the essence of togetherness and gratitude rather than trying to recreate past traditions. This shift in perspective, she noted, allows her to fully appreciate small moments with Bruce and their daughters, Mabel and Evelyn.
She said that understanding and acceptance have become central to how she approaches both the holidays and caregiving, emphasizing patience and open-heartedness as guiding principles.
> “You learn to meet life as it comes,” she reflected. “And sometimes that means finding new ways to celebrate.”
### A Message of Hope and Presence
Beyond her family’s private experience, Emma has become an advocate for dementia awareness, often using public events to speak about caregiving and community support. Her message at End Well underlined the importance of finding joy even when life’s circumstances change.
***
*Author’s summary:* Emma Heming Willis reflects on the transformation of her family’s holiday traditions while finding renewed meaning, joy, and acceptance alongside Bruce Willis’s dementia journey.
more
People.com — 2025-11-28