The actors met on the set of “Bosom Buddies” in 1981 and tied the knot seven years later.

Rita Wilson’s secret to 38-year marriage to Tom Hanks is actually relatable

The actors met on the set of "Bosom Buddies" in 1981 and tied the knot seven years later.

By Marina Watts

Marina Watts

Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and Newsweek.

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May 5, 2026 3:35 p.m. ET

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Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks. Credit:

Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty

- Rita Wilson shared the secret to her decades-long marriage to Tom Hanks.

- The actress credits this shared space in their home to keeping their connection strong.

- Wilson's new album *Sound of a Woman *is available to stream.

Rita Wilson's secret to her long marriage with Tom Hanks is something many couples can relate to.

Speaking with PEOPLE for a cover story, the actress and the musician revealed what has kept her 38-year marriage to the *Forrest Gump *star close after all these years. Wilson admitted that having a "shared bathroom" is how they have maintained their deep connection.

"That's where you download everything," she said. "That's where you download the day. You laugh about what you're doing. In the mornings, you're thinking about, 'What are you doing today? Where are you going to be? Great, I want you there.'"

Though Wilson, who released her latest album *Sound of a Woman* on May 1, knows sharing a bathroom is an unusual way to keep their bond strong, she said it's "very true."

Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks in London in June 2025.

Ben Montgomery/Getty

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The *Girls *actress also mentioned the importance of "shared values." "You have to be able to communicate to each other the things that are changing in your life — and also the things that are still staying the same so that you're always working together for the greater good," Wilson added.

Wilson and Hanks also never go to bed mad, as the adage goes. "I heard that early, early on, and I thought, 'That's actually really good,'" Wilson concluded.

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Wilson and Hanks met in 1981 on the set of *Bosom Buddies*. Five years later, they reconnected and wed in 1988. The actors share sons Chet and Truman, while Hanks is also father to son Colin, and daughter E.A. The couple reached their 38th wedding anniversary on April 30.

In 2001, Hanks revealed what he believed to be the secret to their relationship's longevity.

"The success of our relationship was a matter of timing, maturity and our willingness to have an intimate connection," he told *Oprah Magazine*. "When I married Rita, I thought, 'This is going to require some change on my part.' I won't deny that providence was part of us finding each other, but our relationship isn't magic — the way it's shown in movies."**

Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks in April 1988.

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Hanks added, "In real life, our connection is as concrete as me sitting here. Not that marriage doesn't come close to being hell in a handbasket sometimes. But we both know that no matter what, we'll be with each other — and we'll get through it."

*Sound of a Woman *is available to stream.

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