“I think of my dad, all of those years, celebrating all those birthdays, and knowing that he had a child born on Dec. 26, Emil, who passed away,” said Rita Wilson as she reflected on her father’s hidden past. Wilson uncovered these family secrets only after her father died in 2009.
Wilson’s father had a tragic history in Bulgaria, where he lost his first wife and child. He never disclosed this information to Rita or her siblings. The revelations came to light during an episode of the TV show Who Do You Think You Are?.
Rita Wilson was born in Hollywood in 1956. She began her acting career at age 15 with a role in The Brady Bunch. Her Hollywood career flourished, and she produced the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time, My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
In addition to her film work, Wilson has pursued a music career since 2012. Her sixth studio album, Sound of a Woman, is set to release on May 1.
In 2015, Rita Wilson faced a personal battle when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. “Cancer was terrifying, but now I see it as a gift. It gave me an extra lease on life,” she remarked.
Wilson’s father had been married to Alice before immigrating to the United States. Alice died just three days after giving birth to their son Emil, who lived for only four months due to complications. This tragic past adds depth to the family dynamics that Wilson often explores through her work.
The discovery of her father’s secret family has reshaped Rita’s understanding of her heritage and identity. “I still can’t get over that. He never said anything to us,” she noted, expressing disbelief at the hidden aspects of her family’s history.
Rita Wilson is married to actor Tom Hanks. Together they have two sons, Chet and Truman Hanks. The couple has been married for 38 years and continues to support each other through life’s challenges.
