An estranged relationship and Scientology: The very different lives of Tom Cruise's children.

Little is known about Tom Cruise's life as a father of three. 

The last sighting of the notoriously private star with one of his children, adopted son Connor Cruise, was in July 2023 on the streets of New York City. 

The pair, along with Cruise's sister, were out for the promotional event for Tom’s upcoming film Mission: Impossible –Dead Reckoning.

Prior to this, the father and son hadn’t been photographed together since 2021 and 2019, respectively.

Watch: Some of our favourite celebrities on parenting. Post continues below.

The actor's relationship with his two older children – 30-year-old daughter Isabella and 28-year-old son Connor – remains relatively under wraps, although they are in contact. 

On the other hand, it's been close to a decade since the actor was last pictured out in public with his youngest daughter, Suri, who was most recently reportedly applying to universities. 

For years, Cruise's relationship with his 17-year-old daughter, who he shares with ex-wife Katie Holmes, has been the subject of speculation. 

While it's been alleged that Cruise's belief in the Church of Scientology has played a part, he hasn't spoken publicly about his seemingly estranged relationship with his daughter.

Here's everything we know about Tom Cruise’s relationships with his three children.

Tom Cruise's relationship with Connor and Isabella.

Before becoming a dad to Suri, Cruise was a father to two adopted children, Isabella and Connor, who he shares with Australian actress Nicole Kidman.

After tying the knot in 1990, the couple adopted Isabella, simply known as Bella, in 1992, and Connor in 1995. But when the actors divorced in 2001, rumours of a rift between Kidman and her children started circulating.

At the time, Bella and Connor – who had been raised in the Church of Scientology – chose to stay with Cruise. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Connor Cruise (@theconnorcruise)

While the siblings still practice Scientology today, they mostly remain out of the public eye.

Connor lives a private life in Florida and often updates his socials with images of his two main hobbies: fishing and barbequing. 

Connor Cruise, 2021. Image: Instagram @theconnorcruise.

In 2021, he wrote, "After many friends telling me I have finally decided to start a food Instagram account. Give it a follow if you like backyard steaks, bourbon, chicken, or really whatever we are feeling like that day."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Connor Cruise (@theconnorcruise)

Meanwhile, Bella lives in London with her husband, Max Parker, and owns a company called 'Bella Kidman Cruise', where she sells T-shirts, art prints, tote bags and more.

Her Instagram feed is often dedicated to showcasing her artistic skills and funky graphics. 

In 2016, Bella was asked by New Idea if she still speaks to her parents, to which she replied, "Of course we talk, they're my parents," adding that anyone who says otherwise is "full of s**t."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bella Kidman Cruise (@bellakidmancruise)

Bella thanked her father for helping her train as an auditor within the Church of Scientology, in a letter shared with church members.

"Thank you to my dad for everything," she wrote, also thanking her aunt [Cruise's sister] Cass Mapother. 

"I would have drowned in my own problems if you hadn’t been there to support me or get me through the preliminaries. It took a whole family and an org to get me here."

Bella also shared a life update with fans on September 21, 2023, posting a photo of herself on her Instagram stories. 

“What a summer,” she captioned the pic.

Image: Instagram @bellakidmancruise.

Earlier this year, she shared another selfie with followers. 

"@craphairclub hair is giving me so much joy still," she wrote on March 30, alongside a photo of her new look. "Thank you."

Image: Instagram @bellakidmancruise.

Tom Cruise's relationship with Suri. 

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes made headlines when they welcomed their daughter Suri in April 2006. The couple, who tied the knot that same year, went on to feature on the October 2006 cover of Vanity Affair, making Suri's magazine debut.

It was a time when Cruise was arguably at the height of his fame, including *that* Oprah interview where he not only performed a weird couch jump TWICE, but then went backstage and brought Holmes onto the set. 

Listen to The Spill on whether Tom Cruise has tricked us. Post continues after audio.

But while Cruise and Holmes may have been the 'super couple' of the noughties, their marriage didn't last very long.

When the pair announced their divorce in 2012, rumours circulated that Cruise’s belief in the Church of Scientology played a role. Holmes converted to Scientology ahead of their wedding in 2006, but parted ways with the controversial religion after their divorce.

The world doesn’t see much of Suri anymore. In fact, while Holmes has opened up about her close relationship with her daughter – who she occasionally shares photos of on social media – images of Cruise and Suri have virtually ceased to exist since 2013. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Katie Holmes (@katieholmes)

Although the former couple share custody of their daughter, it’s believed Cruise is largely estranged from the 17-year-old.

Reportedly, it is Scientology’s 'disconnection' policy between current and former members of the church that has been one of the main contributing factors for Suri’s estrangement from her father.

"Tom eats, breathes and sleeps Scientology," a source told In Touch. 

This was made especially clear in Cruise’s 2005 interview with 60 Minutes Australia.

In order to interview him, Peter Overton was required to attend a four-hour crash course in Scientology. Much of the interview involved Cruise singing the praises of his church until things got awkward.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Katie Holmes (@katieholmes)

According to Us Weekly, Cruise is allowed to see Suri 10 days a month as outlined in their divorce settlement but has chosen not to because of his religious beliefs.

"Every person is allowed to see their child if they wanted to," a source told the publication in 2018. "He chooses not to because she is not a Scientologist."

"He’s disconnected from Katie, and then de facto from Suri, because of her connection to Katie. He hasn’t seen her since she was seven," they claimed. 

In 2022, Holmes starred in the romantic comedy film Alone Together, which she directed.

The actor told Yahoo! Entertainment that the movie also marked Suri's first film credit (she starred as Cruise's daughter in 2013's Oblivion, in an uncredited role), with her singing a cover of 'Blue Moon' during the opening credits.

"I always want the highest level of talent," Holmes said. "So, I asked her."

"She's very, very talented. She said she would do it, and she recorded it, and I let her do her thing. That's the way I direct in general. It's like, ‘This is what I think we all want – go do your thing.'"

In April, Holmes said she prefers to keep her out of the spotlight.

"What has been really important for me with my daughter, because she was so visible at a young age, is I really like to protect her," she explained to Glamour, who seldom speaks about her daughter in public.

"I'm very grateful to be a parent, to be her parent," she adds. "She's an incredible person."

This article was originally published on June 11, 2021 and has since been updated with new information.

Feature Image: Instagram @theconnorcruise; @bellakidmancruise.