Rumer Willis on Coparenting with Bruce Willis and Demi Moore: ‘We Never Had to Choose’ — The Secret to Their Family Unity

Rumer Willis, the eldest daughter of Hollywood icons Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, has often spoken about the exemplary coparenting model set by her parents following their 2000 divorce. Despite the challenges that come with separating, Willis and Moore have managed to maintain a united front when it comes to their three daughters: Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah. This remarkable family dynamic, as Rumer reflects, has played a significant role in shaping her own approach to parenting and coparenting, ensuring that their family bond remains intact despite life’s transitions.

A Foundation of Prioritizing Children

Bruce Willis and Demi Moore’s relationship was one that made headlines throughout the years, culminating in a divorce after 13 years of marriage. However, despite their split, they maintained a strong, supportive relationship for the sake of their children. Rumer Willis has frequently highlighted the importance of this unified front, noting in multiple interviews how her parents made sure she and her siblings never felt they had to choose sides.

In a February 2025 appearance on Loose Women, Rumer explained, “Even when they split up, they created such a beautiful foundation of prioritizing my sisters and I, that I never felt like I had to choose.” This sentiment reflects the approach taken by Bruce and Demi—ensuring that their personal differences did not interfere with their roles as parents.

Rumer’s observations are further supported by a SheKnows article from 2025, in which she reiterated that despite their divorce, “We were a family, and we still are very much a family no matter what.” This enduring unity was evident even in public appearances, including the 82nd Annual Golden Globes in January 2025, where Bruce, Demi, and their daughters appeared together, signaling that their family bond had remained strong.

The Secret to Family Unity

So what is the secret to the Willis-Moore family’s success in staying united? According to Rumer, it boils down to a commitment to honest and meaningful communication. In a 2021 interview with People Magazine, she emphasized that her parents’ approach to communication laid the groundwork for the close relationship they share today. She believes that this practice of “deep and meaningful and honest communication” has not only shaped her relationship with her parents but also with her own family.

This focus on open dialogue and putting the children first is a cornerstone of the Willis-Moore family. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, the family quarantined together in Idaho, further demonstrating their closeness and willingness to adapt to life’s challenges. Reports from People Magazine highlighted that this decision was a testament to the ongoing support they provided one another, reinforcing their family ties despite life’s difficulties.

Rumer’s Coparenting Journey

Drawing from the model set by her parents, Rumer has approached coparenting with her own ex-partner, Derek Richard Thomas, with the same focus on mutual respect and support. After welcoming their daughter Louetta in April 2023, Rumer and Derek made the decision to split in August 2024, as reported by Us Weekly. Despite the breakup, Rumer has continued to describe Derek as her “best friend,” echoing the supportive dynamic her parents displayed after their own divorce.

Rumer has acknowledged that her parents’ example has been instrumental in shaping how she coparents with Derek. In a February 2025 interview with SheKnows, Rumer stated that the foundation her parents set has “set me up in my life to have such a beautiful foundation of my own family.” This legacy of healthy communication and respect, which was instilled in her as a child, continues to guide her as a parent and coparent.

A Comparative Look at Other Families

Rumer has also reflected on how her own experience contrasts with that of her peers. In a 2021 People Magazine interview, she noted that many of her friends whose parents divorced were often caught in the middle, forced to choose sides or split holidays between their parents. This serves as a stark reminder of how rare and effective Bruce and Demi’s approach has been in maintaining harmony and minimizing conflict.

Bruce Willis’s Health and Family Resilience

In recent years, the Willis-Moore family has faced significant challenges, particularly with Bruce Willis’s health. In 2022, he was diagnosed with aphasia, a condition later confirmed as frontotemporal dementia. Despite these difficulties, the family’s unity has remained unshaken. In a February 2025 interview with Variety, Demi Moore described their family as evolving into a “different form,” yet still unified in their commitment to one another. Rumer echoed this sentiment in 2025, telling Movieguide, “I feel deep gratitude for the example they’ve set,” further emphasizing the resilience that continues to define their family dynamic.

Conclusion

The secret to the Willis-Moore family’s enduring unity lies in their commitment to prioritizing their children’s well-being, fostering open communication, and maintaining a strong family connection despite their divorce. Rumer Willis’s reflections on her upbringing highlight how her parents’ approach to coparenting shaped her own parenting style, ensuring a legacy of support, respect, and love. As she now coparents her own child, Rumer is continuing the tradition set by her parents, creating a stable and nurturing environment for her own family. The example set by Bruce Willis and Demi Moore serves as a powerful reminder that with the right approach, family unity can thrive even after major life changes.