Tom Hanks remains deeply enamored with his wife, Rita Wilson, whom he first met at the youthful age of 25. Their initial meeting on the set of “Bosom Buddies” was a moment of magic for Hanks, even now, after 35 years of happy marriage.
When some voices on the internet challenge Wilson’s appearance, calling her “flabby,” Hanks is quick to brush off such negativity. He openly proclaims his admiration, declaring Wilson to be “one of the most classically beautiful women who’s ever walked the planet Earth.”
Tom and Rita’s love story is a shining example of enduring romance in Hollywood, just as heartwarming today as it was when they first crossed paths in 1981 during their work on the TV series “Bosom Buddies.”
Rita made her debut on the show, playing a character dating Hanks’ friend, while Hanks was an avid audience member at the time.
At that point, Hanks was married to his high school sweetheart, Samantha Lewes, with whom he shares a son, Colin Hanks. However, destiny had a different plan, bringing together Hanks and Wilson—a duo who later produced the TV success “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”
The “Forrest Gump” star describes the beginning of their relationship with fondness: “Rita and I just looked at each other and – kaboing – that was that.” Later, after divorcing Lewes in 1988, Hanks married Wilson, his co-star from the 1985 film “Volunteers.”
Now both 67, Tom and Rita have raised two children, Chet and Truman, and celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in April 2023. The couple has collaborated on numerous films over the past three decades, including “Bonfire of the Vanities” and “Sleepless in Seattle,” consistently offering unwavering support to one another.
Recalling a moment of deep connection, Wilson shared, “I’ll never forget, we were standing on the corner of 57th and 5th in New York, holding hands. Tom looked at me and said, ‘You know, I just want you to know that you never have to change anything about who you are in order to be with me.’” This profound moment encapsulated Hanks’ supportive nature.
In 2015, Wilson encountered a significant health challenge with a diagnosis of breast cancer, requiring reconstruction after a double mastectomy. Her gratitude towards Hanks for his unwavering support during that period is immense. “In a situation like that, you never know how your spouse will react. Tom’s devotion was awe-inspiring.” It was a moment that deepened their bond.
2020 was another unforgettable year, as the couple announced being among the first few public figures to test positive for COVID-19. Wilson commented, “I think having the virus together made it a bit easier. Caring for one another rather than just one person helped us through that time.”
In a 2022 incident, when a fan accidentally bumped into Wilson in New York City while they were promoting “Elvis,” in which Hanks starred, Hanks promptly asked fans to retreat, protecting Wilson. His actions were widely commended, demonstrating his protective and caring nature as a husband.
Later that year, photos of Wilson elicited negative, body-shaming comments online, but the internet community rallied to her defense. Despite being frequently criticized for her weight fluctuations, users criticized those comments as unfair and superficial, emphasizing her beauty and inner strength.
“Double post a picture of your perfect body, Mr. NoProfilePic,” one defender responded, highlighting the absurdity of judging others’ appearances. Another remarked, “OMG, really, as we age, our bodies undergo drastic changes. She looks fantastic.” The overarching message was clear: beauty transcends appearance.
In support of his wife, Hanks reiterated his admiration: “Rita is one of the most classically beautiful women who’s ever walked the planet Earth, as well as extremely brave and beautiful.” Previously, he has expressed that, “I’m a lucky man.”
Their story inspires many. What do you think of Tom and Rita’s incredible journey together? We’d love to hear your perspective!
