In the wake of the tragic deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, Emma Heming Willis, wife of Bruce Willis and his carer following his dementia diagnosis, is using the incident to shine light on the critical need for caregiver support.
Hackman and Arakawa, along with one of their dogs, were discovered dead in their New Mexico residence. Investigations concluded that Arakawa, Hackman’s caregiver, had died earlier in February, possibly leaving Hackman, suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, alone and helpless until his own death days later.
Emma Willis, deeply moved by the Hackmans’ ordeal, is calling attention to the underlying issue of caregiver neglect. In a Instagram video to her nearly one million followers she said, ‘This is not something I would normally comment on but I do really believe there is some learning in the story of the tragic passing of Mr and Mrs Hackman. That is, caregivers need care too. They are vital. It is so important that we show up for them so they can continue to show up for their person.’
Emma Willis herself has been a pillar of support for her husband Bruce Willis, since his retirement from acting in 2022 due to an aphasia diagnosis. His condition has since escalated to frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Throughout this journey, Emma has emerged as a staunch advocate for FTD awareness and more support for caregivers.
She opened up recently about the devastating call she received from a ‘highly reputable doctor’ who was seeking resources to assist a family saying ‘I received a call from a very prominent doctor the other day, letting me know that he has a family who’s just been diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer’s, and they have three children aged 10, 12 and 14, and that he needs all of my resources, any contacts. And I was like: “Huh?”’ she said in an Instagram video.
‘And I have the contacts, and nothing makes me happier than to be able to be of service and to support the next caregiver, which I happily passed on,’ she added.
‘The thing that just boggles my mind is how do our doctors not already have a Rolodex of ways to support caregivers?’ Emma marveled.
She added: ‘The other thing that just is so upsetting to me is, when I receive messages from families that have just been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia or some type of dementia, and they’re asking me for my resources.’
She added: ‘I’m not even in the same state as them, same city. It’s very hard to sort of pass on those resources. But it’s just like, they need to do better. Doctors need to do better. Doctors really do need to have a road map of just some support.’
Gene Hackman’s will has been revealed a month after his death, the Oscar winner left his €80 million fortune to his wife Besty Arakawa. It is unclear if his three children were left anything.
In her will, she had designated all of her assets go to charity, however as she died first his will will now come into question from his children.
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