BY EMILY HUTCHINSON

Is Tom Cruise’s 26-year age gap with Ana De Armas an issue? My interview with Women Magazine shares the key elements needed to offset the many challenges that come with such a significant generational difference.

Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas surprised fans and press alike when they went public with their relationship in early 2025. According to Us Weekly, their romance is still new and low-key, but there are already some noticeable oddities. Like Vanessa Trump’s past relationship with Tiger Woods, de Armas is known for disliking public attention, which is a unusual characteristic for someone involved with one of Hollywood’s most high-profile stars.

In addition to being in the media spotlight, sources say the 26-year age gap has compounded De Armas’s lack of certainty about their future together.

It’s not unusual for Hollywood celebrities to date much younger women — Leonardo DiCaprio is a prime example, though he’s just one of many men who enjoy the perks of fame. This naturally raises the question: what do these relationships have in common, and is the age gap itself a red flag?

The answer lies in understanding that for every significant difference, there must be an equal or greater number of shared similarities. These include lifestyle, philosophy, spiritual or religious beliefs, personal values, and even hobbies. Ultimately, it’s these shared factors — not age — that determine whether a couple can truly connect and thrive.

They have a 26-year age gap

Journalist Emily Hutchinson writes, “There are multiple celebrities who have forced us to confront our fascination with age-gap relationships and, in consenting relationships between adults, age can be just a number. But we can’t ignore that the odds are stacked against age-gap romances. Cruise was born in 1962 and de Armas in 1988, resulting in a 26-year age gap — and that could be detrimental.

Both are older, which means their age difference might have less impact than if de Armas was in her 20s, relationship expert and author of “Older Women, Younger Men: New Options for Love and Romance” Susan Winter exclusively told us when discussing 10-year age gaps. However, they still risk incompatibility. Oftentimes, the older person in the relationship may inadvertently (or otherwise) take on a guidance or mentor role, which could affect their dynamic. “While certainly the senior partner has had more life experience, this impulse can feel like control or manipulation to the younger partner,” Winter exclusively told Women.

There are plenty of other reasons why age-gap relationships don’t always work out. People in different life stages may discover their maturity levels vary, could find it difficult to relate to one another, or have different priorities. This could be particularly true for Cruise and de Armas, as he was a star before she was even born (“Top Gun” was released in 1986). And, though de Armas is famous in her own right, Cruise has much more star power and influence in Hollywood. He also has three children, while she has none, suggesting he’s had different life experiences.

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