Following his diagnosis with aphasia, a condition that disrupts communication, actor Bruce Willis has largely stayed out of the public eye. His family has been candid about his condition, revealing that he has frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and continues to keep fans updated on his health journey.
Rumer Willis, Bruce’s daughter, took to social media to express the family’s gratitude: “We want to start by thanking everyone for the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and the wonderful stories we have received since sharing Bruce’s initial diagnosis. With that in mind, we wanted to provide an update on our beloved husband, father, and friend, now that we have a clearer understanding of his condition.”
She added, “Since we disclosed Bruce’s aphasia diagnosis in spring 2022, his condition has progressed, leading to a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (FTD).”
As Bruce’s cognitive abilities continue to decline, his medical team is doing all they can to make his life more comfortable. Emma Heming, Willis’ wife, is working closely with a dementia specialist to ensure that the Die Hard star receives the best possible care. “My grief can be paralyzing, but I’m learning to coexist with it. As my stepdaughter, Scout Willis, reminded me, grief is the purest form of love. I hope that brings you some comfort too,” she shared in 2022.
Recently, Emma discovered a new Instagram feature that showcases past photos and videos. She shared a memory of Bruce from a year ago, where he is seen praising her, with the caption: “What’s this new Memory feature on IG!? Omg, my biggest fan. I’m so in love with him.”
In the video, Bruce is heard expressing his admiration for Emma’s skincare brand, Cocobaba.
Before the family publicly disclosed Willis’ diagnosis, his colleagues observed that he was struggling to remember his lines. A crew member from his recent film, White Elephant, remarked: “It wasn’t a matter of annoyance but more about protecting Bruce’s dignity. Someone would feed him a line, and he struggled to grasp its meaning. He was just being guided along.”
At 74, Jay Leno Prepares for the Inevitable, Sets Aside Fortune for His Cars — ‘No One Lives Forever
After leaving behind his successful career as the host of late-night talk shows, Jay Leno launched a web series on nbc.com (2015 to 2022) about cars.
Jay Leno’s Garage, now appearing to more than 3.7 million subscribers on YouTube, allows the comedian to share his passion for cars and bikes with his audience.
In November 2022, the former Tonight Show host was badly burned when a fire broke out in his Burbank, California garage.
“I got some serious burns from a gasoline fire.” Leno told Variety at the time “I am OK. Just need a week or two to get back on my feet.”
According to reports, the now 74-year-old man was working under a car when the fire sparked. He suffered third degree burns on his face and got a new left ear after losing his first one to the fire.
Unfortunately, his luck didn’t get any better.
Only two months after the fire, he suffered a broken collarbone, two cracked ribs and two cracked kneecaps in a motorcycle accident.
‘Treats Mavis like gold’
Despite his body breaking down with aging, passion-related accidents and high cholesterol, the one thing that holds strong in his life is his love for Mavis, who he married in 1980.
“I always tell guys when they meet a woman, ‘Marry your conscience. Marry someone who’s the person you wish you could be and it works out okay.” Leno tells People of his enduring love with Mavis, now 77.
After 45 years together, the childless couple started facing some hardships.
Mavis was diagnosed with dementia and her condition is rapidly declining.
In April 2024, Leno was granted a conservatorship over his wife’s estate by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge who ruled the measure was “necessary and appropriate.”
According to court documents obtained by Entertainment Tonight, “Mavis has been progressively losing capacity and orientation to space and time for several years.”
The filing also says and “Jay is fully capable of continuing support for Mavis’ physical and financial needs, as he has throughout their marriage,” but her “current condition renders her incapable of executing the estate plan.”
Included in the documents is a statement from her neurologist Dr. Cohen: “Sometimes [Mavis] does not know her husband, Jay, nor her date of birth.”
Cohen, Mavis’ attending doctor at Cedars Sinai, adds that Leno “loves his wife very much” and “treats [Mavis] like gold.”
‘No one lives forever’
Only months later, In Touch reports that Leno is now preparing for his own death, making end-of-life arrangements so his fortunes are delivered to the rightful beneficiaries.
The filing reads: “No one lives forever, and the actions taken by Mr. Leno are reasonable and necessary for his and Mavis’ protection. Mavis does not object to the petition and in my opinion consents to it. Mr. Leno is her protector, and she trusts him. This estate planning is in her best interest and protects her interests.”
Leno’s latest filing details provisions for Mavis’ care and discloses that the couple intends to stay in their home “for as long as reasonably possible,” using their money for “assistance from household employees or caregivers as may be necessary.”
If Leno dies first, “the estate will divide into the Leno Marital Trust…it will have the Leno Collection and any real property housing Leno Collection. It will be irrevocable, and the survivor receives all income, plus principal for reasonable support. After the survivor’s death, after-tax balance will be distributed, along with the Leno Trust to JDM.”
The Leno Collection is Leno’s collection of automobiles and motorcycles, that’s valued at more than $52 million, and any real property.
Leno also instructed the JDM Foundation, a charity he launched in 1988, to open a museum with his automobile collection, and he’s already named the three initial directors.
In addition, Leno is leaving $7 million to Mavis’ brother Rikki Nicholson, who lives next door, and to his nephew Richard Leno.
The court-appointed official said Leno’s amendments to the trust will likely be approved.
It’s hard to imagine a world without Jay Leno! Please let us know what you think and then share this story so we can send Leno and Mavis a lot of love!
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