Rumer Willis’ daughter ‘loves’ playing with dementia-battling granddad Bruce
Rumer Willis says her little girl “loves” going to see her dementia-battling granddad Bruce.
The actress, 35, had daughter Louetta in April 2023 with her singer partner Derek Richard Thomas, 42, and says its “sweet” when she watches her play with her ‘Die Hard’ actor grandfather, 69, who was forced to retire from acting after he was hit with his diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia in 2022.
Rumer – who Bruce had with his 61-year-old ‘G.I. Jane’ actress ex-wife Demi Moore – told People: “(My dad) is doing really good. I got to go over there with Louetta today.
“It’s so sweet. Louetta honestly is like the most-famous person in our family. “Within my family, people will call and ask to have playdates just with her. “They’re like, ‘We don’t really want to see you, we’re just coming over to see Louetta.’ I’m like, ‘OK’.”
Rumer marked Louetta’s first birthday on 18 April by posting photos from a celebratory photoshoot on her Instagram, which also included a picture of herself with Bruce and Louetta.
She added about how her family chips in with taking care of the little girl: “My sisters came over last night and actually babysat for the first time and actually put her down to sleep, which I was very proud of.
“They did a very good job.”
Rumer also said about her family ambitions: “I’ve always wanted to be a mom, but I feel like this past year and going through pregnancy, and the first year of motherhood, it’s kind of lit a fire under my passion so much more.
“I talked to so many friends who had babies at the same time, that there was such a staggering amount that I felt like didn’t have the proper access to information to really set themselves up for support.
“Whether it was breastfeeding, being able to advocate for yourself in the hospital, postpartum care, it was just so infuriating that there’s not more awareness.
“It’s very important for me to show up to things like this because it’s something I am so deeply passionate about.”
Louetta is the first grandchild for Bruce and his ex Demi.
The actor was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in March 2022, but didn’t reveal the news to fans until the following year.
Along with Rumer, the dad-of-five has daughters Scout, 32, and Tallulah, 30, with the actress – and girls Mabel, 12, and Evelyn, nine, with his 45-year-old model wife Emma Heming Willis.