Tom Hanks granted honorary Greek citizenship for his service to Greece

Tom Hanks, 63, has been granted honorary Greek citizenship by President of the Hellenic Republic Mr Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

The famous American actor converted to Orthodoxy before marrying actress Rita Wilson (born Margarita Ibrahimoff), who was born in Los Angeles and is of Greek and Bulgarian descent.

The couple visit the island of Antiparos on a regular basis with family and friends as they own a summer house there. Hanks is often seen exploring the scenery and beautiful beaches in the region with his wife. He has said that he feels ‘110 per cent Greek. I’m more Greek than a Greek is by being married to Wilson, producer of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.’

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Greek law allows for honorary naturalisation to be granted to people who have ‘provided exceptional services to the country or whose naturalisation serves the public interest’.

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