Demi Moore and Bruce Willis have defied expectations by maintaining a close relationship even after their divorce in 2000. Their amicable co-parenting dynamic is a shining example of how to successfully raise children together.
The couple first got together in 1987, having met at the premiere of the buddy cop film Stakeout, in which Moore's then-fiancé Emilio Estevez starred. Prior to her marriage with Willis, Moore had been married to singer Freddy Moore from 1981 to 1985. Willis and Moore went on to have three daughters together: Rumer in 1988, Scout in 1991, and Tallulah in 1994.
After announcing their separation in June 1998, the former couple took two years to finalize their divorce, submitting the paperwork in October 2000. However, even after this, Bruce Willis admitted that he was unsure about the reasons behind the breakdown of their marriage.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, the Unbreakable actor opened up about his feelings towards Demi, saying, "I still have love for Demi. We maintain a close bond." Despite their separation, Willis emphasized their commitment to raising their three children together and acknowledged that their friendship remains strong. He also acknowledged the challenges of having a high-profile marriage, stating, "Living your life and marriage under a magnifying glass is never easy, especially for celebrity couples."
Despite the ups and downs in their romantic relationship, the children of the exes were deeply impressed by their ability to maintain a close-knit family even after the separation. Rumer expressed her gratitude and appreciation for her parents' efforts during an interview with Larry King in March 2015, following both of their remarriages. Bruce married model Emma Heming in March 2009, while Demi was married to Ashton Kutcher from 2005 to 2013. Rumer highlighted how her parents consistently made an effort to attend family events together and ensure that the family remained a united entity, rather than two separate entities. This approach had a significant impact on her.
Scroll down to witness the amicable post-split relationship between Demi and Bruce throughout the years!
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Keeping it amicable! Demi Moore and Bruce Willis have successfully maintained a close bond even after their divorce in 2000 — and their harmonious relationship sets the perfect example for co-parenting aspirations.
Friendly Exes! Demi Moore and Bruce Willis' Amicable Post-Split Relationship Through the Years
Willis and Moore got married in 1987, having met at the premiere of the movie Stakeout. At that time, Moore was engaged to Emilio Estevez. Prior to marrying Willis, Moore was married to singer Freddy Moore from 1981 to 1985. Together, Willis and Demi had three daughters: Rumer, born in 1988, Scout, born in 1991, and Tallulah, born in 1994.
In June 1998, the former couple announced their separation and two years later, they filed for divorce. Their divorce was finalized on the same day they submitted their paperwork in October 2000. Later that year, Willis confessed that he was unsure about the exact reasons behind the failure of their marriage.
"We still have a deep love for each other," the actor shared with Rolling Stone when discussing his feelings towards Demi. "We remain incredibly close and devoted to our three children. Our commitment to raising them together has only grown stronger over time. Despite the challenges we've faced, our friendship remains intact. We've learned to navigate the scrutiny that comes with being in the spotlight as a celebrity couple, and it hasn't been easy." Even though their romantic relationship had its challenges, their children admire the way they have managed to maintain a close-knit family dynamic even after their separation.
"I am incredibly grateful that my parents put in such a tremendous amount of effort during that time," Rumer expressed during an interview with Larry King in March 2015, after both her parents had remarried. Bruce tied the knot with model Emma Heming in March 2009, while Demi was married to Ashton Kutcher from 2005 to 2013. "They always made a conscious effort to attend all of our family events together and worked hard to maintain our family as a unified unit, rather than two separate entities. I truly believe this had a significant impact."
In a surprising turn of events, Bruce and Demi attracted attention in April 2020 when fans discovered that they were quarantining together with their daughters amidst the global coronavirus outbreak. Tallulah posted a picture of the family dressed in matching green pajamas, revealing that they had been staying together for "27 days, taking all the necessary precautions" to ensure their safety and well-being during this crisis.
Scroll down to see more of Demi and Bruce's amicable post-split relationship through the years!
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No Hard Feelings
Following his divorce from Demi, the actor, known for his role in "The Sixth Sense," openly expressed his enduring love and affection for his former spouse. In an interview with Rolling Stone, he revealed, "Despite our separation, we remain dedicated to co-parenting our three children and our bond is possibly stronger than ever. Our commitment to our kids is lifelong, and our friendship persists."
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A Blended 'Tribe'
After moving on from their respective marriages, Bruce and his ex-wife formed a close bond with Demi and Kutcher, creating a tight-knit "tribe." In a 2009 interview with W magazine, Bruce and his wife described their relationship with Demi and Kutcher as "comfortable and enjoyable." Bruce acknowledged that their dynamic generated curiosity, as it is uncommon for exes to maintain such amicability. He attributed their successful co-parenting to their shared priority of putting their children first, expressing gratitude for the enjoyable times they all have together.
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Showing Their Support
After a decade and a half apart, the former couple came together once again to show their support for their daughter Rumer as she took part in season 20 of Dancing With the Stars. Rumer expressed her gratitude for her parents' unwavering love and support, stating that she couldn't have asked for anything more.
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Coparenting Goals
Rumer acknowledges the tremendous effort that Bruce and Demi put into providing their daughters with a positive and nurturing childhood. Their dedication to keeping the family strong did not go unnoticed. Despite their separation, Bruce and Demi always made it a priority to attend family events together and maintain a sense of unity. Rumer believes that this deliberate approach had a profound impact on her and her sisters, creating a lasting bond within their family. In an interview with Larry King in March 2015, she expressed her gratitude for their commitment to keeping their family as one unit.
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Roasted!
Demi made a surprise appearance at her ex's Comedy Central roast in July 2018, stealing the show. According to S. Mitchell Marketing exec Stefanie Mitchell, Demi was hilarious and lighthearted on stage, clearly enjoying herself. She concluded her performance with a heartfelt tribute to Bruce, emphasizing that they were like family and expressing her pride in him. The moment was heartwarming, as Bruce couldn't stop laughing and warmly smiled at her.
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One Big Happy Family
When the star of Twelve Monkeys and his wife Heming renewed their vows to celebrate their 10th anniversary in March 2019, they couldn't imagine doing it without Demi, who had become an integral part of their family. Heming expressed her admiration for how Bruce and Demi prioritized their children and worked together after their divorce. Witnessing their journey taught her valuable lessons and helped her grow as a person. Demi's presence at the vow renewal was significant to Heming and the couple.
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Family Affair
Bruce and his daughters united in celebration of Demi's groundbreaking memoir, Inside Out, in September 2019. Despite the book's raw revelations about their marriage, Bruce stood by his former spouse, displaying a sense of pride in her courageous undertaking.
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No Regrets
In her heartfelt memoir, the actress known for her role in G.I. Jane openly acknowledged her feelings of "great pride" regarding her separation from Bruce. She shared that although the initial period was challenging, they were able to transform the core of their relationship, the very essence that formed their family, into something new and nurturing for their daughters. Their bond became even stronger after the divorce, fostering a sense of connection they hadn't experienced before.
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Birthday Boy
On his 65th birthday in March 2020, Demi, the star of The Indecent Proposal, expressed her love and appreciation for her ex-husband with a heartfelt tribute. She shared an adorable throwback picture of their family and captioned it, "Happy birthday Bruce! I am grateful to you for blessing me with the three greatest gifts of my life ❤️."
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'Chaotic Neutral'
The former couple caused quite a stir when it was revealed that they had chosen to spend four weeks together in quarantine during the global coronavirus crisis. In April 2020, Tallulah shared an adorable photo of her sisters and parents all wearing matching pajamas, while also reassuring their fans that they were taking all necessary precautions to ensure their health and safety.
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Friendly Father’s Day
"Happy Father's Day, Bruce," Moore expressed on Instagram in June 2020, accompanying a collection of photographs that showcased the beautiful bond within their blended family. "Your children are incredibly fortunate to have you as their father ❤️."
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Growing Old Together
"On your 66th birthday, BW, I want to wish you a very happy birthday! You truly are a unique individual," Moore expressed on Instagram in March 2021. "I am incredibly grateful to have these three beautiful girls in our lives and for the blessings of our blended families ❤️❤️❤️."
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Grateful for the Blended Brood
“Happy birthday, Bruce! Thankful for our blended family ,” Moore wrote via Instagram in March 2022.
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Supporting Him
In March 2022, an announcement was made by Moore, Heming, and their daughters, revealing Willis' retirement due to his battle with aphasia, a condition that impairs cognitive abilities.
"This is an incredibly challenging period for our family, and we are deeply grateful for the ongoing love, empathy, and support that you have shown us," the statement expressed. "As a strong family unit, we are navigating through this difficult time, and we wanted to include his fans in this journey because we understand how much he means to all of you, just as you mean so much to him. As Bruce always says, 'Live it up,' and together, we are determined to do just that."
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Movie Memories
"Sharing a throwback from the Cannes archives dating back to 1997," Moore shared alongside a captivating Instagram post in May 2022, featuring the former couple during their time at the renowned French movie festival. Bruce's wife left a heartfelt comment, expressing her appreciation with the words, "This is truly beautiful, evoking all the emotions."
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The Big 6-0
When Moore celebrated her 60th birthday in November 2022, she was greeted with a heartwarming message from her former spouse and his current wife. Heming took to Instagram Story to convey his wishes, saying, "Happy Birthday @demimoore. We have love and admiration for you in every way."
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His Big Day
Moore and her children joined Heming in commemorating Willis' 68th birthday in March 2023. "Happy birthday, BW! We are thrilled to be able to celebrate you today. We love you and cherish our family. I want to express my gratitude to everyone for the affection and kind wishes — we all feel the love," she expressed on Instagram, paying homage to her former husband.
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The Best Dad
Moore expressed eternal gratitude to BW for blessing him with three remarkable daughters. Celebrating Father's Day in June 2023, he took to Instagram and shared a nostalgic picture of Bruce with his eldest girls, emphasizing their deep love as a #girldad.