Tom Cruise‘s romantic journey has captivated fans and media alike for decades, particularly since his rise to fame with the iconic 1983 film Risky Business. His extensive relationship history features three high-profile marriages, all of which ended when his wives were 33 years old, creating a curious pattern among his romantic ties. In addition to these marriages, Tom has been linked to a number of notable figures in Hollywood. Notably, between the years of 2012 and 2020, he seemed to take a step back from the public eye regarding his dating life, leading to speculation about his personal choices during that period.

However, interest in the love life of this renowned Hollywood bachelor reignited in December 2020 when reports surfaced about his budding romance with co-star Hayley Atwell from Mission: Impossible 7. This sparked excitement among fans, but by June 2022, news broke that the couple had parted ways. Following this, in 2023, Tom was rumored to have found new love with model Elsina Khayrova. Yet, by 2025, it seemed that Ana de Armas had captured his affections, further adding to the intrigue surrounding his dating life.

For those interested in the intricacies of Tom’s romantic escapades, we delve deeper into his many relationships below, tracing his connections from the 1980s to the present day.

Exploring the Early Romance of Tom Cruise and Melissa Gilbert

Melissa Gilbert, best known for her role as Laura Ingalls on the beloved NBC series Little House on the Prairie, revealed that she briefly dated Tom in the early 1980s, right at the outset of his career. “Actually, when I dated him, he was still known as Tom Mapother. This was during his initial move to Los Angeles, and I think I was around 16 or 17 years old,” Melissa shared during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in 2017. This glimpse into their youthful romance showcases how even early in his career, Tom was already making waves in Hollywood.

“I did not have a sexual relationship with him,” Laura continued, reflecting on their time together. “We kissed, but there was no sex involved. He was a surprisingly good kisser for a young actor trying to make it big. Interestingly, I even purchased his first set of dishes,” she added, reminiscing about their friendship and unique connection. In an October 2019 Instagram post, Melissa fondly looked back on her friendship with Tom during their time in the “Brat Pack,” further emphasizing the nostalgia of their early romance.

The Short-Lived Date Between Tom Cruise and Heather Locklear

Heather Locklear may not have been Tom’s girlfriend in the traditional sense, but she did share an interesting experience with him that she referred to as a “sort of date.” In a 2013 interview on Chelsea Lately, Heather recounted their time together, noting that they had both auditioned for a project during the early ’80s, a period when Tom was still trying to find his place in Hollywood without many friends. After their auditions, they decided to go dancing, which led to a memorable, if somewhat awkward, encounter.

“You know the iconic scene in ‘Risky Business’ where he dances in his underwear and does the splits? Well, we were at a club dancing, and he decided to do that very same move,” Heather reminisced. “In that moment, I was unsure of how to react. Should I dance around him or just sit down? So, I opted for the latter and simply sat down while he continued to perform.”

When prompted by Chelsea Handler about whether that was indeed their only date, Heather confirmed with a chuckle, “I think so.” The nostalgia of their encounter offers a glimpse into Tom’s early days in Hollywood and the light-hearted connections he made.

The On-Screen Romance and Real-Life Connection of Tom Cruise and Rebecca De Mornay

Rebecca de Mornay starred alongside Tom in his breakout film, Risky Business, which premiered in 1983. Their undeniable on-screen chemistry quickly translated into a real-life relationship. Although Rebecca humorously described Tom as “extremely annoying” initially, she eventually grew fond of him. In a 2018 interview with Celebrity Page, she revealed that they were together for two and a half years following the film, showcasing the depth of their connection beyond the silver screen.

The Fascinating Connection Between Tom Cruise and Cher

In a surprising twist, Tom made Cher‘s “Top 5” lovers list, a revelation she shared during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in 2013. “I’ve had the greatest lovers ever. Not a long list, but a good one,” the iconic singer fondly mentioned. This revelation added another layer to Tom’s reputation as a charismatic figure among Hollywood’s elite.

Cher elaborated on her connection with Tom in a separate interview. “Both of us were invited to the White House due to our shared experience with dyslexia. Although we didn’t start dating until much later, there was definitely a connection,” Cher explained in an interview with the Mail on Sunday in 2018. She also expressed her confusion regarding his involvement in Scientology, stating, “I can’t understand it, so I just choose not to.”

The Impact of Mimi Rogers on Tom Cruise’s Life

During his relationship with actress Mimi Rogers, Tom infamously became associated with the Church of Scientology, a connection that remains significant in his life. Tom first encountered Mimi at a dinner party while he was developing Top Gun. “I found her to be extremely intelligent,” he recalled during a 1986 interview with Rolling Stone.

However, Mimi presented a slightly different narrative. “At the time, neither of us was in a relationship, and it seemed like they thought we should be dating. So we just went along with it,” she shared in a 1987 interview with the Sun Sentinel.

In a candid interview just days before their split was announced in 1990, Tom expressed how deeply he felt about Mimi. “I had never experienced love before her. She has opened me up in ways I never anticipated. We share everything, and I truly care about her,” he proclaimed. Unfortunately, their marriage ended in divorce in February 1990, three years after they tied the knot.

Exploring the Marriage of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman

Following his marriage to Mimi, Tom Cruise found love again with Moulin Rouge! star Nicole Kidman. Their romance blossomed on the set of Days of Thunder in 1990, and by the end of that year, they were married. During their 11-year marriage, they adopted two children: Isabella in 1992 and Connor in 1994, creating a loving family dynamic.

Throughout their marriage, Tom and Nicole collaborated on another film, Eyes Wide Shut, released in 1999. In a rare interview in October 2020, Nicole reflected on their time together, sharing, “We were happily married during that period. We often rented go-kart tracks and went racing at three in the morning, creating fun memories together.”

Interestingly, Nicole never joined Tom’s Church of Scientology, even as their children became involved. Their split was announced in February 2001, with Tom filing for divorce just two days later. Since then, they have maintained minimal contact. A source close to Tom shared, “He has had little to no contact with Nicole in nearly 18 years, and he is perfectly fine with that. He doesn’t miss her much at all.”

The Passionate Romance Between Tom Cruise and Penélope Cruz

After a brief hiatus from marriage, Tom ventured into a romantic relationship with Penélope Cruz, whom he met while filming Vanilla Sky in 2000. Their passionate romance lasted for three years, and the couple’s representatives confirmed their split in 2004. At that time, Penelope’s spokesperson stated, “They remain good friends and still talk often. There is no other person involved,” emphasizing the amicable nature of their breakup.

Tom Cruise’s High-Profile Relationship with Katie Holmes

Enter Katie Holmes, who has become one of Tom’s most recognized exes. Ironically, Katie once confided in Seventeen Magazine in 2004 that she “used to think that Tom Cruise was going to be her husband,” a notion that seemed prophetic when they began dating the following year.

Their first public appearance as a couple took place in April 2005 when Tom joined Katie in Rome, where he was receiving a prestigious David di Donatello Award for lifetime achievement. Just a month later, Tom famously jumped on Oprah Winfrey‘s couch, declaring his love for Katie, to which Oprah humorously responded, “The boy is gone.”

The relationship rapidly progressed, culminating in Katie announcing her conversion to Scientology (Tom’s faith) during the premiere of Batman Begins in June 2005. Their engagement was also made public that same month. By October, the couple was expecting their first child, and in April 2006, they welcomed their daughter, Suri, into the world.

Tom and Katie exchanged vows in a picturesque ceremony in Italy in November 2006. However, their seemingly happy union took a turn when Katie filed for divorce in June 2012. A month later, they reached a settlement regarding custody of their daughter, Suri. In a candid interview with a German television network, Tom expressed his surprise at the divorce, admitting he “didn’t expect” it.

Reflecting on her life post-divorce, Katie shared insights in an April 2020 interview with InStyle. “That period was intense, filled with attention and challenges, especially raising a young child. Many strangers became friends, offering help, which I truly appreciated,” she stated, highlighting the support she found in her community.

The Brief Romance Between Tom Cruise and Hayley Atwell

In late 2020, Tom reportedly began dating Hayley Atwell, known for her role as Peggy Carter in the Captain America films. This relationship blossomed while they filmed Mission: Impossible 7 together during the pandemic, as detailed in reports from The Sun.

“Tom and Hayley clicked immediately,” a source revealed, noting that the challenges of lockdown brought them closer together. Despite their chemistry, neither has publicly confirmed the relationship. Reports emerged in June 2022 announcing their split, marking their second breakup since initial reports of their relationship in September 2021, when they briefly ended things but later reconciled.

“Tom and Hayley’s relationship was genuine,” a source mentioned, emphasizing that it was not just for publicity. “Unfortunately, it didn’t work out, but they had a wonderful connection, which is why they decided to give it another try earlier this year,” the source added.

The New Chapter with Elsina Khayrova

As of mid-2023, multiple reports indicated that Tom had started a relationship with model and socialite Elsina Khayrova, marking a new chapter in his romantic life.

“They’re very happy together,” a source shared with Us Weekly in December 2023. “Tom feels very confident about the future of this relationship. As he heads into 2024, he’s feeling energized and healthier than ever. This period is incredibly special for him, and having a serious relationship to nurture adds to his happiness,” the insider elaborated.

Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas: The Latest Romance

In early 2025, rumors began to circulate about a romance between Tom and Ana de Armas when they were spotted together on various occasions, enjoying each other’s company. By July 2025, TMZ captured images of the pair holding hands during a low-key vacation in Vermont. Neither has publicly confirmed their relationship, leaving fans eagerly speculating about the nature of their connection.