Tom Hanks and family become Greek citizens

In July 2020, renowned actor Tom Hanks and his family were honored with honorary Greek citizenship, a recognition bestowed upon them for their exceptional services to Greece. This accolade was largely attributed to their significant role in raising global awareness and advocating for aid following the catastrophic wildfire that devastated the village of Mati, near Athens, in July 2018. The wildfire tragically claimed the lives of over 100 individuals and left many more affected. Greece's Interior Minister, Takis Theodorikakos, highlighted Hanks' genuine concern for the victims and his efforts to promote the plight of those impacted by the disaster in the international media. The Hanks family, including Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson, were photographed proudly holding their Greek passports alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his wife, symbolizing their new connection to the country. This gesture not only reflects the Hanks family's commitment to humanitarian causes but also strengthens the cultural ties between Greece and the global community.