Elizabeth Hanks, the daughter of acclaimed actor Tom Hanks and Samantha Lewes, has launched a poignant memoir reflecting her harrowing childhood experiences.
“The 10: A Memoir of Family and The Open Road,” captures her tumultuous upbringing post her parents' divorce, and her journey towards understanding her mother, Samantha Lewes, Page Six reported.
Elizabeth was born to parents who separated when she was only three. The divorce in 1985 prompted a significant life change, moving Elizabeth and her family from Los Angeles to Sacramento. This transition marked the beginning of what she describes as a childhood filled with "confusion, violence, deprivation, and love."
The impact of the divorce was deeply felt by Elizabeth, as she and her brother Colin were initially under the primary custody of their mother. Samantha Lewes, who grappled with escalating mental health issues, often left the household in disarray, contributing to an unstable environment. As conditions worsened, custody arrangements shifted, moving Elizabeth to Los Angeles during her seventh-grade year.
Physical violence emerged in her Sacramento home, leading to this custody shift to her father's home in Los Angeles. This marked a pivotal change in her life, as she left behind a tumultuous setting for a new beginning amidst her father's growing career and new family with Rita Wilson, whom Tom Hanks married in 1988.
Throughout her childhood, Elizabeth observed her mother's struggle with severe mental health issues, suspecting that Samantha suffered from undiagnosed bipolar disorder. Describing her home life, Elizabeth recounted scenes of neglect and chaos, with a house often neglected and filled with expired food. Her mother spent much time isolated, which heavily impacted the family dynamic.
Samantha’s health increasingly deteriorated, culminating in her death from lung cancer in 2002 when Elizabeth was 19. This loss came after years of Samantha's battles with health and psychological issues, which left a significant imprint on Elizabeth and her understanding of her mother's challenges.
Years later, in 2019, Elizabeth undertook a significant journey—a six-month road trip from Los Angeles to Palatka, Florida. This trip was not just a physical journey but an emotional quest to connect with the memory of her mother. The experience was transformative, providing her with insights into her mother's life and struggles.
Reflecting on her childhood experiences in a somber tone, Elizabeth vividly describes the environment she grew up in: “The backyard became so full of dog s—t that you couldn't walk around it, the house stank of smoke. The fridge was bare or full of expired food more often than not, and my mother spent more and more time in her big four-poster bed, poring over the Bible.”
The memories of her life in Sacramento were intertwined with deprivation and affection, stating again, “From 5 to 14 years filled with confusion, violence, deprivation, and love, I was a Sacramento girl.” Her recollections paint a picture of a challenging yet formative time that shaped her into the individual she is today.
Post-divorce, Elizabeth and Colin maintained a relationship with their father through designated visits. Meanwhile, the dynamics of their family life evolved as Tom Hanks expanded his family with Rita Wilson, bringing two more sons into the fold. Consequently, these changes added layers to Elizabeth’s familial interactions and her understanding of family roles.
During her road trip, Elizabeth undertook a literal and metaphorical journey along Interstate 10. She recalls, “When I was 14, my mother and I drove across America along Interstate 10 to Florida, in a Winnebago that lumbered along the asphalt with a rolling gait that felt nautical.” In this way, this trip stood as a poignant memory and a pivotal moment in their mother-daughter relationship.
Reflecting on her life's journey and the revelations from her memoir, Elizabeth’s narrative underscores the complexities of familial relationships and personal growth. Indeed, the harsh realities intertwined with moments of profound connection and understanding present a multifaceted view of her life's journey, from a troubled child in Sacramento to a reflective adult seeking clarity about her past.
