Rita Wilson has opened up about the two requests she made to her husband, Tom Hanks, following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2015. The 69-year-old actress and singer spoke about the conversation during an on-stage event in New York with Demi Moore, promoting her sixth studio album, Sound of a Woman.
Wilson recalled telling Hanks: “If something happens and I go first, I just have two requests. And one is that you should be sad for a very, very long time. The second one was throw me a party. I want it to be a celebration of life.” She added that she wanted people to share stories and joy, remembering her in that way.
The Sleepless in Seattle star said the conversation inspired her 2019 song, “Throw Me a Party.” At the event, she told the crowd: “I’m here. Yay!” Wilson underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery in 2015, and last year she celebrated being “10 years cancer free” in an emotional Instagram post.
In March 2025, Wilson shared a video on Instagram marking the milestone, saying: “10 years. And I am so deeply grateful. The gratitude is overwhelming.” She acknowledged the emotional ups and downs of the journey but emphasised the importance of celebrating good news.
