Rita Wilson, the 69-year-old wife of Tom Hanks, recently opened up about her emotional battle with breast cancer from 2015. She underwent a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, pausing her Broadway role in Fish in the Dark for a month to recover.
Two Key Requests to Her Husband
During a conversation with friend Demi Moore at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, Wilson shared her poignant discussion with Hanks about facing mortality. “If something happens and I go first, I just have two requests,” she recalled telling him. “One is that you should be sad for a very, very long time. The second one was throw me a party. I want it to be a celebration of life, with people telling stories, joy, and remembering me that way.”
Her 2019 song “Throw Me a Party” drew inspiration from this mindset, reflecting her uncertainty during treatment: “I don’t know what’s gonna happen, but I hope I’m still here in a few years.”
Marking a Decade Cancer-Free
Last March, Wilson celebrated 10 years cancer-free on social media, expressing deep gratitude. “I’m so thankful to my doctors, friends, and family,” she stated. “The gratitude is overwhelming. Didn’t always feel this way.” She described the cancer journey as an “up-and-down hamster wheel” that survivors eventually navigate.
Importance of Second Opinions
Wilson emphasized catching the disease early through a second pathology test after the first missed it. “I am recovering and expected to make a full recovery because I caught this early, have excellent doctors, and got a second opinion,” she noted. She urged others: “Trust your instincts if something doesn’t feel right.”
Throughout her ordeal, Hanks fiercely protected her from predatory doctors exploiting cancer patients. “There’s a predatory philosophy where people push procedures—some scientific, others pure quackery—to make money,” he explained.
A Lasting Partnership
Wilson and Hanks married in 1988 and share sons Chet, 35, and Truman, 30. Hanks has praised their bond as one of best friendship and love. “She’s my best friend in addition to being my lover,” he told Oprah Winfrey in 2001. “Our success stems from timing, maturity, and willingness for intimate connection.” He added that their relationship demands effort: “No matter what, we’ll be with each other and get through it.”
