Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have received Greek citizenship. The Greek Prime Minister announced on Instagram.
The country has become their second home: actor Tom Hanks (64, "Forrest Gump") and his wife Rita Wilson (63) have received Greek citizenship. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (52) announced this in an Instagram post. The statesman poses in the picture with his wife Mareva Grabowski (53) and the "new proud citizens of Greece". Hanks and Wilson both hold their new passports at the camera. The couple has a special connection to the country.
Greek roots and an own house
Wilson's father came from Bulgaria, her mother from Greece – before her wedding in 1988, Hanks converted to the Greek Orthodox Church, according to the rules of which his wife was brought up. The couple regularly vacation in Greece and own a house on the island of Antiparos. The two have also produced several Greek-related films over the years, including "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and "Mamma Mia!" as well as the associated sequels.
Last year, Hanks was named an honorary citizen of Greece for "showing genuine interest in the people who suffered from the Mati fire and raising awareness of the problem in the international media," Interior Minister Takis Theodorikakos said in December 2019. And he promotes Greece with his summer stays in Antiparos. In January 2020, Hanks confirmed the acceptance of the special award and tweetedthat he celebrates the New Year as an honorary citizen of Greece.