JAKARTA - Rita Wilson once made two requests to her husband, Tom Hanks, after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. She wanted Hanks to be sad for a long time if something happened to her. But she also wanted her life to be celebrated.
Launching from a report by People, Wednesday, April 29, Wilson talked about it in the Sound of a Woman: Rita Wilson in Conversation with Demi Moore at 92NY, New York City, Tuesday, April 28. The event was held ahead of the release of his latest album, Sound of a Woman.
Wilson, 69, said he wanted Hanks to "mourn for a very, very long time" if he went first. However, that was not the only request.
Second request: Hanks was asked to throw a party for him. Wilson wanted the party to be a celebration of life, filled with stories, joy, and good memories.
"I want people to tell stories, rejoice, and remember me in that way," Wilson said.
Wilson underwent a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery in 2015 after doctors found invasive cancer. From that experience, he later wrote the song Throw Me a Party in 2019 with Liz Rose and Kristian Bush.
The Sleepless in Seattle actress married Hanks in 1988. During the show, Wilson recalled the time when she received the diagnosis and didn't know what would happen in the next few years.
Quoted from People, Wilson also marked 10 years cancer-free on March 31, 2025 through an Instagram video.
"This is a celebration for me. March 31 marks 10 years since I was cancer-free," Wilson said. "I am so, so grateful."
Wilson thanked his doctors, friends, and family. He admitted that the journey against cancer was not always easy. There were ups and downs. However, he felt it was important to share the good news.
When he was first diagnosed more than 11 years ago, Wilson was 58. He said he had lived with LCIS or lobular carcinoma in situ and monitored it strictly through annual mammograms and breast MRI.
After two surgical biopsies, doctors found PLCIS or pleomorphic carcinoma in situ. Initially, the pathology results showed no cancer. However, a friend advised him to seek a second medical opinion.
The decision was important. Another pathologist found invasive lobular carcinoma. The diagnosis was then confirmed again by the next pathologist.
Wilson said he shared the story to make others understand the importance of second medical opinions based on his own experience.
"You lose nothing if the two opinions are equally good. But you can get a lot if something that was missed is finally found," Wilson said.
Wilson's sixth studio album, Sound of a Woman, is scheduled for release on May 1.
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