Rumer Willis is confronting one of her biggest fears head-on as her father, Hollywood legend Bruce Willis, continues his heartbreaking battle with frontotemporal dementia.
The 37-year-old actress and mother revealed that she recently underwent genetic testing to learn whether she may be at increased risk for developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
For Rumer, the decision was deeply personal.
“I really miss my dad. I miss a different version of who he was,” she said, opening up about the painful reality of watching Bruce’s health decline.
“There are some days that are so hard,” Rumer added. “I try to prioritize being present with where he’s at now.”
Bruce, best known for blockbuster films including Die Hard, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2023 after his family previously revealed he had been suffering from aphasia.
With her father’s diagnosis weighing heavily on her mind, Rumer decided she wanted answers about her own future.
She underwent an APOE genetic test, which can help assess a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
“I wanted to check it out given my family history,” she told People.
Fortunately, Rumer said her results did not show an unusually high risk.
“My result is pretty average, but it also means there is some risk,” she explained. “But it’s not crazy.”
Still, taking the test was anything but easy.
“It’s terrifying to get answers sometimes,” Rumer admitted.
The actress said dementia is not the only serious illness she has seen affect members of her family.
“Obviously there are genetic things in my family,” she said. “Not just dementia. I’ve had some family members who have had breast cancer and family members who have had different things.”
But rather than avoiding potentially frightening information, Rumer said she believes knowing about possible health risks gives people a chance to act.
“I think when you have information, it’s power,” she said.
Rumer has partnered with health company Function, which offers extensive blood testing, genetic assessments and other health screenings.
She said the experience has changed the way she thinks about staying healthy as she gets older.
“Health is one of those things that we take for granted until we don’t have it,” she explained.
Rumer said taking preventative steps now could potentially make a major difference later in life.
“If you are taking small steps right now to be proactive about it, you might not have to have such a steep fall off the cliff as you get older,” she said.
The emotional revelation comes as Bruce’s wife, Emma Heming Willis, continues speaking publicly about caring for the beloved actor.
Emma recently reflected on meeting Bruce years before his diagnosis, remembering him as a warm, funny and charismatic Hollywood star who immediately made an impression on her.
The pair first crossed paths at a Los Angeles gym in 2005 before eventually beginning a relationship. They made their public debut as a couple in 2008 and married the following year.
Emma recalled that Bruce always took a genuine interest in learning about her and her life.
Today, the Willis family has rallied around the actor as his condition progresses, frequently sharing glimpses of their time together while also raising awareness about dementia.
For Rumer, that means cherishing the father she has today while still grieving the man she remembers.
And while undergoing genetic testing brought frightening possibilities to the surface, she believes facing those questions now is better than ignoring them.
“When we’re able to see, ‘OK, maybe I’m more predisposed to this,’” Rumer said, people can begin making changes aimed at protecting their long-term health.
