Rita Wilson visits the birth place of her Muslim-Greek father!

Actress, singer and producer Rita Wilson takes an emotional journey as she learns of her father's early life and the story he never shared.

In each episode, one of Britain's best-loved celebrities traces their family tree to reveal the surprising, extraordinary and often moving stories of their ancestors. We publish new videos twice a week with the most memorable moments from the show. Subscribe now and click on the bell 🔔 to get notifications every time we upload a new video!

[Sarah_Eva]

I found letters written in Greek in my grandma's basement when my uncle died... I took them, wrote letters to the addresses, and went to visit my relatives in Greece. In my case, it was my great grandfather who came to the US... I met the last woman to be born in Greece with my maiden name. I've been able to even bring my children to Greece to see their distant relatives. It was wonderful. 🇬🇷🙂❤️

[roddychristodoulou]

Ok I gota tell ya that when she walked into the house and said, dad I'm home, as a dad of two girls myself I started crying ..

[Konte]

As someone from the same area and same ethnicity Rita's father belonged to, I need to clarify a few things.
They are not speaking Turkish in the village. That village is Pomak (South Slavic muslim) just like my village which is very close to that one. There are around 60 Pomak villages in the north of the province of Xanthi which are only inhabited by Pomaks and the area is known as Pomakohoria (Pomak villages).
Our native language is Pomak (Slavic), not Turkish but we learn Turkish at school, it's mandatory in our region. The translator girl probably does not speak Pomak fluently so that's why they were using Turkish. If you are a Turkish speaker you can clearly hear the accent.
We are South Slavic (Slavic and Thracian). Our Slavic side came here to the Balkan aproximately 1500 years ago and our Thracian side was always here, for thousands of years. Geneticaly speaking we are not related to Turks, at all.

[paulito]

Way back in 1985 or 86 I met Rita Wilson at the Beverly Center while we waited in line to get an autograph from Artist Keith Haring. She tapped me on the shoulder and said who are we in line for? I turned and said hey you're the Coors light Silver Bullet girl! We talked while the line moved and she was the sweetest person. So bubbly and Beautiful.

[amynazza]

I have loved Rita Wilson ever since she stole the show in Sleepless in Seattle. I still laugh out loud at her retelling of An Affair to Remember. So glad she is having this opportunity to learn about her extended family.

[bucurflorica]

Rita, you did a great job! You' ve traveled a lot to find your father's birth place! You are awesome!

[CuriousMind]

Such a touching story
They all seem so wholesome and friendly ❤

[merle-wqir]

Interesting!! My Lebanese grandfather was Greek orthodox and fought with the Greeks during WW11. Love hearing these stories!!

[manoskutrullis]

THAT LIGHT ON YOUR FACE ENTERING THE HOUSE...PRICELESS!!!

[alchemyofplants]

I met Alan Wilson in LA at a Bulgarian event many years ago and he said he was Bulgarian.

[boykotgooglification]

Rita nin akrabalari hepsi harika turkce konusuyorlar. Rita cok sansli ailesini bulmakla.

[nonipapadimitriou]

we ...the Greeks are very proud for our Rita Wilson...i wish her Health and Happiness...her and her whole family..❤

[archeewaters]

your dad was born in 1920 and he lived in greece. if they had anything to eat at the time, peas included, nobody would have refused to eat them.

[CristinaGreece]

If Ritas birth last name was Margarita Ibrahimof it does not make her Greek but Bulgarian Muslim... Pomak dialect is an old slavik one and is used by Muslim and Christian Bulgarians that leave in that region of Greece..

[tabithahoward]

Rita is such a beautiful person. I'm so glad she's not like all the other actors and have injections. I love her acting and I loved her in now and then, the movie was amazing

[ramlahharun]

Me and my friend used to send kebayas in this boutique in Nortinghill.We were so excited when the boutique owner told us that Rita bought one!

[mamanana]

Very moving the visit to your father's home! Beautiful video like the name of the village! (Ωραίον / Oreon in Greek means Beautiful)

[simonenin]

Her cousins speak Turkish. I don’t think they are from Bulgaria. The old lady with her cousins looks like my maternal grandma. She was a Turkish / Muslim born
in Thessaloniki. I think we are all mixed because of the Ottoman Empire.

[sls]

beautiful story from a beautiful person. Thank you for sharing.

[T.S.]

Madame Rita, you look so much like your dad.
You have the same smile as him in this pic. 😊
Regards to you and Tom.