Tom Hanks' Daughter Considers Rita Wilson More than a Stepmom — Inside Her Strained Relationship with Her Birth Mom

The actor's second child gets candid about the family dynamics in her recently released memoir in which she details her relationship with the actress and her late biological mother.

Elizabeth Hanks is Tom Hanks's only daughter from his previous marriage to late actress Samantha Lewes, born Susan Dillingham. In addition to her, the pair also welcomed a son, Colin Hanks. They were married from 1978 to 1987.

Tom later wed actress Rita Wilson in 1988, and together, they welcomed sons, Chet and Truman Hanks. Wilson has been a part of his older kids' lives since they were young.

In a recent interview, Elizabeth, who just released a book titled, "The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road," on April 8, 2025, frankly talked about her relationship with the singer:

"When I say my parents, I really mean my dad and Rita, because they've been together since before I can really remember. They've been together since I was 4 or 5."

The writer further explained, "Rita's not really a stepmother, she's my other mother." The same applies to Chet and Truman, whom she has never referred to as "half brothers."

Elizabeth's memoir centers around her family, especially her troubled relationship with her birth mother. She reflected on her childhood as she experienced abuse at the hands of Lewes.

According to the now 42-year-old, her mom, who was her primary custodian following the divorce, beat her daily. Even in public, she would get physical with her, full of rage.

However, it wasn't until later in life that she discovered what Lewes was battling with. Elizabeth revealed her mother was "mentally ill" and was "possibly bipolar." Lewes experienced extreme episodes of paranoia and delusion.

Her daughter only realized at 14 that something was wrong in their home. Elizabeth explained that There wasn't enough food regularly, she wasn't assisted with homework and she needed clean clothes.

Following one confrontation with her mother, Elizabeth eventually told her father who had the custody arrangement reversed. Lewes sadly died in 2002 due to cancer.