What health condition does Anne-Marie Duff's brother have? Explained

Anne-Marie Duff, who played Grace in the hit dark comedy series Bad Sisters on Apple TV Plus, is not only known for her acting skills but also for her continuous advocacy work. The British-Irish actress has always supported and been vocal about mental health illnesses, particularly Alzheimer's disease.

Her dedication to this cause is influenced by her brother Eddie Duff's Alzheimer's diagnosis, as he started showing signs of dementia in his forties.

Anne-Marie Duff has always been open about the difficulties her brother faced as a result of his diagnosis and how it affected her family, including herself. She has also maintained transparency regarding her involvement with organizations that encourage open dialogue about Alzheimer's, and she has supported them in various ways.

Additionally, she has specifically promoted the Alzheimer's Society's Memory Walks. Talking on Virgin Radio UK's morning show, on August 16, 2023, she described the event as a valuable chance for people in the same situation to come together and support one another. Duff believes this practice will create a sense of community among everyone affected by Alzheimer's and foster relationships.

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Anne-Marie Duff has been an advocator of Alzheimer's disease awareness since her brother was diagnosed with the condition

Anne-Marie Duff has always been vocal about Alzheimer's awareness (Image via Getty)

Anne-Marie Duff first shared her brother's Alzheimer's diagnosis in 2020, during an interview with The Guardian dated June 13, 2020. When asked about the last time she cried, Duff revealed that it had been just the day before, after receiving a call from her brother.

She explained that her brother was living with Alzheimer's and was in supported care. However, during that call, he expressed feeling "lost and confused." Duff described her sense of helplessness in that moment and noted that it was particularly challenging for people like her brother to maintain a positive outlook during a crucial time like this (during the COVID lockdown).

Since this initial revelation, Anne-Marie Duff has been quite outspoken about her brother's condition. On October 8, 2024, the Alzheimer's Society shared a video on their official Instagram and Facebook pages featuring Duff discussing the early signs and symptoms of her brother's illness. She said:

"I remember spotting the early signs... it's really textbook, actually. He was making a cup of tea and he was doing it all wrong. And then he'd be making a cheese sandwich and he'd just be staring at the bread and the cheese, not knowing what to do with it... Or he'd get on the wrong bus... I'd say, 'Eddie, it's this bus,' and he'd be on a completely different bus."

Duff also briefly spoke about the stigma around these symptoms and the associated conditions, which often lead to late detections and prolonged suffering. She said:

"It's funny wee things and they can be easily overlooked... As things became more difficult... it did start to feel a bit like a weird secret. It’s not that you’re ashamed, but you just feel so confused and helpless that you forget to ask for help."

The actress further shared how her brother eventually made the decision to visit the General Physician when he sensed that something was off. She remembered him telling the GP that he felt "lost" and needed help.

In the video, Anne-Marie Duff concluded by highlighting the importance of seeking help in such situations, saying:

"The more you ask for help, the more you share what you’re going through, the more everybody gets help. And that’s the truth."

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More about the actress

Duff at the 2023 BAFTA Television Awards (Image via Getty)

Anne-Marie Duff was born on October 8, 1970, in London, England. She was the younger of two siblings.

Duff stepped foot in the industry in 1997 and has since featured in several films and television shows. Some of her notable projects include Sinners (2002), Shameless (2004–2005, 2013), Nowhere Boy (2009), and Suffragette (2015). She recently starred in the Apple TV Plus dark comedy series, Bad Sisters.

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