Rita Wilson is opening up about how her connection to her body transformed following her breast cancer diagnosis and double mastectomy.
In a recent cover interview with PEOPLE, the actress and singer reflected on the emotional and physical journey she experienced after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. Her thoughts are also explored in her blues-inspired track “Whose Body Is This?” from her latest album, Sound of a Woman, which touches on the changes women experience after childbirth and major life events.
Wilson, 69, said becoming a mother gave her a deep appreciation for her body and its abilities. The actress, who shares sons Chet Hanks, 35, and Truman Hanks, 30, with husband Tom Hanks, recalled feeling amazed by what her body could accomplish during pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing.
She described motherhood as an empowering experience, even as her body changed over time, because it highlighted its strength and resilience.
However, Wilson admitted her perspective shifted dramatically after undergoing a double mastectomy. She explained that losing parts of her body that had once played such an important role in motherhood was emotionally difficult.
At the same time, she expressed gratitude for advances in modern medicine, including reconstructive surgery and implants, noting that women in previous generations often had far fewer options after breast cancer treatment.
Wilson said the experience forced her to look at her body differently — recognizing both what had been lost and what her body was still capable of doing to heal and survive. She even joked that reconstruction surgery finally made her feel “Hollywood.”
Earlier this year, the Sleepless in Seattle star celebrated 10 years of being cancer-free. In a heartfelt Instagram video shared in March 2025, she called the milestone deeply meaningful and thanked her doctors, family, and friends for their support throughout the journey.
Wilson also acknowledged that recovery is not always straightforward, describing survivorship as an emotional “roller coaster” before eventually reaching a place of gratitude and peace.
Her newest album, Sound of a Woman, released on May 1, explores the emotional transitions women face throughout life, from love and family to loss and healing. Wilson explained that music allows her to express feelings that can sometimes be difficult to put into ordinary conversation.
