Already engaged to someone else when they met: Bruce Willis’ romance began with a twist

Right, so here’s a bit of Hollywood romance that’s veered in an unexpected direction. Emma Heming Willis (who you might know these days as Bruce Willis’s other half) didn’t actually arrive in Bruce’s orbit as his biggest fan or with a free-and-clear calendar. In fact, the first time she crossed paths with Bruce Willis was over two decades ago – and she was well and truly engaged to someone else.

Emma Heming Willis told Hoda Kotb, 'The things I remember about him was just how warm and charismatic, how funny he was. But always really took the time to want to learn more about me. More about who I was, about my life. Prior to that, I’d never really thought about Bruce Willis. I grew up watching Moonlighting, but I was never an action movie fan.'

The setting for their first meeting? The gym, obviously, because, as Emma put it, that’s just 'how most people in Hollywood do.' Bruce was on his way out as she was on her way in. He made an impression – proper charming, funny, and, apparently, dead interested in who she actually was, not just another model on the treadmill. She even rang her mum afterwards about the encounter, only to be reminded, rightly, 'You’re engaged to be married.'

But as these things tend to go, her engagement didn’t last – not that she was exactly devastated. 'Thankfully,' she’s said. Years later, she and Bruce finally went on a first date, and, by her own account, she was hooked: found him safe, fun, absolutely bursting with life. The relationship kicked off in earnest and turned into full-blown marriage in 2009. They now share two daughters, Mabel and Evelyn, and, whatever you think of celebrity pairings, they seem to have made it work.

• Emma met Bruce about 21 years ago at a Hollywood gym
• She was engaged to someone else at the time
• Her engagement fizzled out, she later dated and married Bruce in 2009
• They share two daughters and have built a family together
• Bruce is currently managing frontotemporal dementia, with Emma by his side

Now, life isn’t exactly a romantic comedy, is it? Bruce is currently facing some serious health challenges – he’s been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia – and Emma’s been quite candid about their family’s day-to-day. Still, she reckons Bruce has rubbed off on her, teaching her to enjoy the moment, loosen up, and grab a bit more fun where she can.