Bruce Willis’ wife Emma has said there is ‘some learning’ to be had when it comes to the tragic case of Hollywood actor Gene Hackman and his pianist wife Betsy Arakawa
Bruce Willis’ wife Emma has reminded people that “caregivers need care too” in the wake of Hollywood legend Gene Hackman’s death.
French Connection star Hackman, 95, and his wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, were discovered dead at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on February 26. It was later determined that pianist Arakawa died first from a rare virus, probably on February 11, and that Hackman died days later from coronary artery disease.
The fact he had advanced Alzheimer’s may have meant that he hadn’t realised his wife had passed away.
Emma has been outspoken on the topic of care following her husband Bruce’s diagnosis. In 2023 the family confirmed that the Die Hard star had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.
She has now weighed in on what happened to Hackman and Arakawa, saying on Instagram that while it wasn’t something that she would normally comment on, she felt there was “some learning in this story”.
Emma posted a video on the platform, captioned: “Caregivers need care too. Period. Full stop.”
She said in the accompanying video: “It’s just made me think of this broader story.
“And that is that caregivers need care too and that they are vital, and that it is so important that we show up for them so that they can continue to show up for their person.
“I think that there is this common misconception that like, caregivers, they got it figured out. They got it covered. They are good.”
“I don’t subscribe to that,” she went on. “I think that we need to be showing up for them so that they can continue to show up for their person.”
Emma and Bruce’s ex Demi Moore and their daughters – Emma has two with the actor and Demi has three – shared in February 2023 that the actor had been diagnosed with the form of dementia.
They said one symptom that the star was dealing with was “challenges with communication” but that it was “a relief” to have a clear diagnosis.
In a joint statement, the family told fans: “Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately.
“We know in our hearts that – if he could today – he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
