Rita Wilson has surprised fans with a dramatically different look. The 69-year-old actress and singer, who has been married to Tom Hanks for nearly four decades, posed with her back to the camera and revealed an enormous Orthodox cross design stretching across much of her back.
The striking image appeared on Rita’s Instagram. The ends of the cross feature trefoil shapes associated with the Holy Trinity, making the elaborate design particularly eye-catching. However, Rita has not revealed whether the tattoo is permanent or temporary.
The unexpected photo accompanied the release of her new song, Stranger With Age, which explores the sense of freedom that can come with getting older. Playing along with the song’s message, Rita joked in her caption: “Getting stranger with age? Who? Me? Yes, I love it!”
Interestingly, Rita had already spoken publicly about her changing attitude toward tattoos earlier this year. She explained that when she was growing up, tattoos were often associated with the criminal world, shaping the way she initially viewed them.
Her perspective eventually changed. Rita said conversations about the meaning behind body art encouraged her to think more about what people are trying to express through their tattoos. Her son Chet, who has numerous tattoos himself, also appears to have influenced her outlook.
Chet has a similar Orthodox cross tattoo and has previously spoken openly about his faith. In 2023, he said that his purpose in life was to “serve God.”
Rita and Tom Hanks first met in 1981 while working on the television series Bosom Buddies. Their romance began years later, and they married in 1988. They share two sons, Chet and Truman, and have three grandchildren. Tom also has two older children, Colin and Elizabeth, from his previous marriage to Samantha Lewes.
Rita has also faced major personal challenges over the years. In 2015, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. Now, at 69, her latest photo and new music appear to reflect another chapter focused on self-expression and embracing life on her own terms.
