Dakota Fanning opens about getting 'special annual birthday gift' from Tom Cruise

Dakota Fanning Shares Annual Birthday Tradition with Tom Cruise

Dakota Fanning revealed a special birthday tradition she has with Tom Cruise, stemming from their 2005 film War of the Worlds, where she played Cruise’s daughter.

The Origin of the Tradition

The tradition began when Fanning turned 12. Knowing her love for shoes and excitement about fitting into adult-sized footwear, Cruise started gifting her new shoes every year on her birthday.

“He sends me beautiful shoes, it’s a tradition that started, I think, on my 12th birthday.”
“I loved shoes, and I just had started fitting into adult-sized shoes, and so I was really excited about it. And so for that birthday he gave me shoes, and he’s kept the tradition going for 20 years.”

Details of the Gift

During an interview on the Today show, when asked if Cruise gifts designer brands like Louis Vuitton or Prada, Fanning described the gifts simply as “nice.”

Years of Friendship and Thoughtfulness

Summary

Dakota Fanning treasures a two-decade tradition where Tom Cruise gifts her new shoes each birthday, celebrating their bond and her love for footwear.

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The News International The News International — 2025-11-06