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Rita Wilson Celebrates Being a ‘COVID-19 Survivor’ and ‘Five Years Cancer Free’ on March 29

Claudia Harmata
Updated ·5-min read

March 29 has a special place in Rita Wilson‘s heart.

Sunday marked the anniversary of many milestones for the actress, including beating breast cancer and, more recently, becoming a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) “survivor.”

Wilson, who just returned home to Los Angeles with husband Tom Hanks after they were both diagnosed with the virus while in Australia, shared a tribute on social media to celebrate the special date.

“This date, March 29, represents a time of great happiness,” Wilson began her lengthy post, before taking a trip down memory lane. “I was on Broadway starring with Larry David in his play Fish In The Dark before finding out I had been diagnosed with breast cancer. March 29 also marks five years of being cancer free after having had a bilateral mastectomy.”

“I am so thankful for my health, for the doctors, nurses, friends and family who got me through that time,” she continued. “You, online friends, also need to be thanked because your prayers and optimism were felt deeply. And, so thankful for the blessings God has bestowed on me, then and now.”

RELATED: Tom Hanks Gives Health Update After Returning to L.A. with Wife Rita Wilson

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This date, March 29, represents a time of great happiness. I was on Broadway starring with Larry David in his play Fish In The Dark before finding out I had been diagnosed with breast cancer. March 29 also marks five years of being cancer free after having had a bilateral mastectomy. I am so thankful for my health, for the doctors, nurses, friends and family who got me through that time. You, online friends, also need to be thanked because your prayers and optimism were felt deeply. And, so thankful for the blessings God has bestowed on me, then and now. One year ago on March 29, I was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a street, that as a child, I’d walk on an read all the names of the stars I admired, never believing one day my name would be on one of those stars. And one year ago today, I released my fourth album, Halfway to Home. Every day I get to make music is a gift. So much has happened musically in that one year. So much goodness. All of this would not be possible without good health. So, today, March 29, I am celebrating the beauty of this life, the blessings God has given , and my continued good health, even now as a COVID 19 survivor. Please take a moment today to acknowledge the amazing creation your bodies are and to thank it for doing so much.

A post shared by Rita Wilson (@ritawilson) on Mar 29, 2020 at 1:49pm PDT

However, her milestones didn’t end there. In 2019, on the very same date, Wilson recalled being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“One year ago on March 29, I was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a street, that as a child, I’d walk on and read all the names of the stars I admired, never believing one day my name would be on one of those stars,” she wrote. “And one year ago today, I released my fourth album, Halfway to Home.”

“Every day I get to make music is a gift,” Wilson added. “So much has happened musically in that one year. So much goodness. All of this would not be possible without good health.”

The Sleepless in Seattle star, 63, then went on to celebrate her recovery from the COVID-19 virus, which has been rapidly spreading across the world.

RELATED: Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson Make a Joyful Return to Los Angeles After Coronavirus Diagnoses

“So, today, March 29, I am celebrating the beauty of this life, the blessings God has given, and my continued good health, even now as a COVID 19 survivor,” she ended her note. “Please take a moment today to acknowledge the amazing creation your bodies are and to thank it for doing so much.”

Wilson and Hanks, 63, had tested positive for the virus earlier this month while filming Baz Luhrmann’s untitled Elvis Presley biopic. They were quarantined Down Under for two weeks until their symptoms subsided and they were finally allowed to return home to L.A.

The Forrest Gump star shared an update for fans on Saturday — the couple’s first since returning to the United States.

“Hey, Folks… We’re home now and, like the rest of America, we carry on with sheltering in place and social distancing,” the actor wrote on Twitter.

“Many, many thanks to everyone in Australia who looked after us,” he added. “Their care and guidance made possible our return to the USA. And many thanks to all of you who reached out with well wishes. Rita and I so appreciate it. Hanx.”

Several days before their return to L.A., Hanks shared a statement on how the couple was feeling.

“Hey, folks. Two weeks after our first symptoms and we feel better,” the couple wrote in a joint statement on Twitter, urging their fans and followers to stay home and self isolate.

“Sheltering in place works like this: You don’t give it to anyone — You don’t get it from anyone. Common sense, no?” he wrote. “Going to take awhile, but if we take care of each other, help where we can, and give up some comforts… this, too, shall pass. We can figure this out.”

As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from CDC, WHO, and local public health departments and visit our coronavirus hub.