Rita Wilson emphasized that she didn’t feel like her decision was a sacrifice; it was simply a choice she and Hanks made. She explained that they both wanted to be present in their children’s lives and provide them with the support they needed.
Wilson said she was grateful to have the opportunity and described it as an “incredible privilege.”
“I slowed down my work because I really wanted to be the mom that was there when they got home, drove the carpool and did all those things,” Wilson explained.
“Tom was also working a lot, so we would travel with him,” she added. “If both of us were working and not home, my kids would have been affected. I wouldn’t call slowing down my career a sacrifice, I would call it a choice.”
At age 16, Rita Wilson began her career in the entertainment business with a role on “The Brady Bunch”. She later starred on “Three’s Company” and “Bosom Buddies” before transitioning to the big screen.
Her most renowned roles are in “Sleepless in Seattle” and “That Thing You Do”, both starring alongside Tom Hanks. Despite their success, Wilson chose to stay home and raise their children, a decision she doesn’t regret. Wilson made it known that the two have always been supportive of each other’s endeavors.
“Tom and I have always been supportive of each other and what we do,” Wilson shared. “I remember doing press junkets back in the day, and interviewers would say to me, ‘Gosh, it must be so difficult to be with someone so famous.’ I would think, ‘Why are they saying that?’ Then I realized that the question was more about them and how they would feel in that situation than me.”
“If you have someone who is happy for your success, and you’re happy for their success, that’s not even an issue that comes up,” she added. “You know about schadenfreude, when you’re happy for someone’s failure? Well, there’s another concept called freudenfreude, which is when you’re happy for someone’s success. I live in the freudenfreude. Somebody else’s success does not diminish my own.”
Rita and Hanks, who have been happily wed for over three decades, celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary recently. The couple, who first met in the early 80s, have shared many wonderful memories throughout their years together.
They are looking forward to many more happy years together.