One of Hollywood’s longest-married couples, Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks, celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary this week. While some couplings in the entertainment industry barely make it past the 90-day mark, Wilson and Hanks have been going strong since their April 30, 1988 wedding.
To commemorate the occasion, Wilson posted a sweet message on Facebook to Hanks, wishing him a happy anniversary. She also explained the secret to a long-lasting marriage. Apparently, it all has to do with building upon a “spark.” She even managed to plug her new album in the post:
“Today is my and Tom Hanks’s 31st wedding anniversary!!!,” she wrote. “People often ask what is our secret to a long marriage. Well, I cowrote a song about this on my new album Halfway to Home!! It’s called The Spark. In any long term relationship, if you’re lucky, you started with a spark, that beautiful glimmer that ignites into a lasting love. Fires need to be tended to, stoked, added to, watched. As long as there is a spark you’ll always have a fire. I love you, Tom. Happy 31!”
Wilson and Hanks first met on the 1981 set of his TV sitcom “Bosom Buddies,” which aired on ABC from 1980-1982. They went public with their relationship in 1986. At the time, Hanks was separated but still legally married to his first wife, Samantha Lewes.
The actress, producer and singer recently made her debut at the Stagecoach Music Festival. Hanks was there, along with the couple’s two children, Chet and Truman, to cheer her on as she performed. (Hanks also has two adult children from his previous marriage.)
Wilson’s husband and boys were also there to watch as she received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last month. Hanks had that honor bestowed upon him in 1992.
Wilson hasn’t been the only one to talk about the secret to their successful marriage. Hanks has also opened up about their marriage in the past.
“We learned the secret of happiness with each other a long time ago and that’s always telling the truth,” Hanks told “Today” during an interview in 2017.
Happy 31st anniversary to a lovely couple! Here’s to many more.