Alec and Hilaria Baldwin: From Skeptic to Soulmates in an Epic Love Story

Alec Baldwin did not plan on getting married again.

A messy separation with former wife Kim Basinger left him disillusioned about marriage, and he believed remarrying might send a message of abandonment to their daughter Ireland Baldwin, as Alec expressed in his 2017 memoir “Nevertheless.

At age 29 now, Ireland experienced her parents’ separation as a mere 5-year-old back in 2000. The contentious child custody dispute between Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger made headlines for many years that followed.

However, according to Alec’s recollection, his doubts dissipated the moment he crossed paths with Hilaria Baldwin (then known as Hilaria Thomas) on February 18, 2011, in New York City. He and a companion were aimlessly exploring downtown with no specific destination, when they spontaneously decided to enter Pure Food and Wine, a restaurant specializing in raw vegan cuisine – a type of food that Alec was far from yearning for at the time.

He found an ideal location for encountering a yoga instructor with a focus on wellness, which happened to be where he first caught sight of the woman who would later become his second wife.

For the past twelve years, Alec and Hilaria have been a married couple and are now proud parents of seven children. They are about to embark on their most unexpected journey yet – they will be starring in TLC’s new show called “The Baldwins“, which is set to premiere on February 23.

Considering Alec’s discomfort around cameras in private settings, participating in reality TV might appear unusual for someone his age (66). However, there’s a twist: If the option was between being separated from his family for work or working alongside them, this situation turned out to be a logical choice.

He shared with People before the series premiere that work matters aren’t as crucial to him now. Instead, he reflected, ‘I have the opportunity to spend quality time with my loved ones.’

Meanwhile, the perpetually busy entertainer has been singing that tune for years.

In an interview with Howard Stern back in 2015, Alec expressed that he feels more content and joyful in the company of his loved ones compared to when he’s apart from them. He admitted that when he’s away from his family, he feels wretched. His wife, as he put it, is simply extraordinary, a remarkable individual he has encountered throughout his life.

And he was smitten from the start.

In 2012, Hilaria shared with the New York Times that we were a group near the door with friends when a man approached, grabbed my hand, and said, “I need to meet you.” To which I responded, “You mean ‘me’?” And then he handed me his business card.

In a conversation with the Times, Alec mentioned that he had never sought out women’s phone numbers. However, about that pivotal encounter, he expressed in his book: “Suddenly, shying away from commitment and refraining from progress appeared ill-advised. A life without risk was not worth living.

Initially, I grappled with the decision of reaching out to him, given the age gap between us – he being a quarter century my elder. However, the allure of our connection eventually prompted me to take that step.

She shared with the Times that her friend dialed a number, yet there was no answer. When he tried to call again, she unfortunately missed it.

As an ardent admirer, I found myself in a perpetual game of phone tag with none other than the legendary 30 Rock alum. Eventually, Hilaria shared the first voicemail he’d ever left for her with one of her confidants. And guess what this friend said? “‘He’s just eager to chat. I can’t fathom why it’s such a big deal.’

On their initial meeting, they dined together along with other companions. At the conclusion of the night, Alec extended his hand towards her, a gesture that led Hilaria, who remained apprehensive, to believe he genuinely wanted to learn more about her.

To express it simply, Hilaria was exceptionally special, much like the character in the movie “The Hunt for Red October” portrayed her. In his book “Nevertheless,” he admired her beauty, intelligence, honesty, and kindness, as well as her patience throughout his health and fitness journey, which she guided him through. He felt there was something extraordinary about her from their first meeting.

Six weeks of friendly handshakes later, he sought approval for a kiss. The reality was irrefutable: There was a strong connection between us, as Hilaria penned in her 2016 book The Living Clearly Method. “Loving Alec felt incredibly satisfying and just right—and we had a fantastic time together.

They cohabited starting in November, and on June 30, 2012, they got married at Manhattan’s Old Cathedral of St. Patrick, with their guests including the groom’s daughter Ireland, his brothers Billy Baldwin and Stephen Baldwin, along with friends such as Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey, Lorne Michaels, and Mariska Hargitay.

Each of the couple’s wedding bands carries the inscription, “We make a great team.” (Spanish: Somos un buen equipo)

Before his wedding, as shared with the Times, Alec mentioned that he’s had numerous relationships since his divorce and spent a significant amount of time contemplating his desires and aspirations. He admitted that he might have overthought things. However, it wasn’t until he encountered Hilaria that he felt truly prepared to seize the opportunity and act upon his feelings.

Moreover, “she took her time,” he mentioned, “but she was decisive and precise about her aspiration – to get married eventually.

Alec openly expressed his desire for a second opportunity to be a more involved father, often stating that he lamented the impact his divorce had on his bond with Ireland during her formative years.

Despite not initially planning for such a bustling household, neither him nor Hilaria (who divide their time between a Manhattan apartment and a residence in Long Island) found themselves with a larger family.

The oldest of their children, named Carmen Gabriela, was born on August 23, 2013. Shortly after, they welcomed daughter Carmen into their family, followed by sons Rafael Thomas (born June 17, 2015) and Leonardo Ángel Charles (born September 12, 2016).

Romeo Alejandro David was born on May 17, 2018. Initially, his name was almost going to be Diego, but his mother changed her mind a few days before he was born.

However, in April 2019 and again in November, Hilaria experienced heartache due to miscarriages.

Or more colloquially:
But unfortunately, she went through two miscarriages – one in April 2019 and another in November of the same year.

She expressed her deep sadness on social media by saying, “Today, we received heartbreaking news: our baby at 4 months had passed away. However, we want to let you know that although we’re not feeling alright now, we will get through this difficult time…We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have four healthy babies, and we will always remember and cherish this blessing.

Eduardo Pao Lucas was born on the 8th of September, 2020, and he became a father to Maria Lucia Victoria through a surrogate on the 25th of February, 2021.

Or simply:
Eduardo Pao Lucas gave birth to Maria Lucia Victoria on the 25th of February, 2021, through a surrogate, while he himself was born on the 8th of September, 2020.

In March 2021, Hilaria expressed her gratitude by saying, “Our precious rainbow child, Edu, is truly a blessing – we can hardly believe our luck to have him with us. We cherish every moment, growing closer and feeling incredibly thankful for all the unique guardians who assisted in bringing Lucía into existence.

The babies “bring light into our lives,” she continued, “almost like twins, we love you so much.”

Rounding out the family, Hilaria gave birth to Ilaria Catalina Irena on Sept. 22, 2022.

During her pregnancy, she shared with the crowd, “It’s one of the most wonderful experiences for my kids, growing up in a large family, that their hearts expand to accommodate each new sibling.

Even though Ireland resides in Los Angeles, her 21-month-old daughter Holland has had chances to connect with her grandfather and greet her seven uncles and aunts in New York. Alec expressed his joy on Instagram when Ireland’s first child, born to her and musician boyfriend RAC in May 2023, became a grandmother. His message read: “My grandchild was born! So much love for the three of you!

Regarding nine individuals in question, Hilaria has shared her strategy for handling the school routine of their six school-going children: she prepares everything the evening prior. Once home in the evening with a full house, everyone lends a hand to cook dinner before bedtime activities like bathing and homework.

In an interview with Vogue in September 2024, Hilaria expressed that incorporating household chores into their children’s routines is a fundamental aspect of their parenting approach. As soon as they arrive home from school, our daily routine includes cleaning up and having a meal together.

Concerning self-care, she typically goes for a morning run before the children wake up, or slips in exercise sessions amidst her meetings and work tasks. On weekends, when the family is together, Hilaria ensures to set aside time for herself. She expresses, “I’ve learned to discard guilt by informing them that I need to take care of myself as well – both physically and mentally. I hope they view it as an encouragement for them to adopt similar habits.

The Baldwin team has faced some challenging periods too, one being an unusual scandal where Hilaria was accused of falsifying her Hispanic heritage. Originally from Massachusetts and born as Hillary Thomas, Hilaria clarified that any online information (including her profile on the Creative Artists Agency’s site) stating she was originally from Mallorca, Spain was a mistake, asserting that she had never made such claims. Additionally, the bilingual wellness influencer explained that members of her family had been calling her Hilaria long before she gained public attention.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’ve made it a point to lay my personal narrative bare. Back in 2020, when I had the pleasure of speaking with the esteemed New York Times, I proudly shared that I was born in the vibrant city of Boston. My life has been a fascinating blend of experiences, as I’ve also spent a significant portion of my time in Spain. Currently, my family calls Spain home. However, at the tender age of 19, I made the bold decision to move to the dynamic metropolis of New York, and ever since, it has been my home away from home.

Over the past decade, I’ve found myself retelling this tale time and again. Yet, it seems that no matter how many times I share it, it’s never enough for some. This is the essence of who I am, and I stand by every word.

However, the host of the “Mom Brain” podcast, recognized for frequently sharing pictures of her doing yoga in diverse locations and occasionally disclosing glimpses into her family’s life, had previously encountered criticism from people she didn’t know.

In 2019, she shared with Motherly her viewpoint on handling online negativity: “I believe I cycle through different stages, and a large part of this is connected to one’s philosophies, emotions, and the specific phase of life you’re in.

She shared that she’s taken action against a bully by sharing their harmful comments on her story for all to see. If someone is being cruel to her, she assured us that they’re likely doing the same to others. So, she either chooses to block them or engage with them in response, depending on the situation.

In a turn of events following Halyna Hutchins’ tragic demise in 2021, Alec found himself accused of involuntary manslaughter. This incident occurred on the set of the period western movie “Rust” in New Mexico, where Halyna was accidentally shot by a live bullet discharged from a prop gun held by Alec. However, he asserted that he did not intentionally pull the trigger.

In mid-July 2024, Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer dismissed an ongoing case against a particular actor, Alec, due to proven prosecutorial misconduct. Overwhelmed with emotion, Alec wept in the arms of Hilaria in the courtroom. Later on, Alec filed a lawsuit against the district attorney and others, accusing them of malicious prosecution and violation of his civil rights.

In my eyes, she’s the most spiritually enlightened individual I’ve ever crossed paths with, and during those challenging times, she never faltered in her kindness towards me or her support for me. It wasn’t easy on her; there were moments of frustration, pain, and unimaginable suffering that she endured. This is what I shared about Hilaria during a December episode of David Duchovny’s “Fail Better” podcast.

In the midst of the trial, The Baldwins’ cameras were continuously recording, resulting in tense emotional moments amidst the friendly confusion of all the children and heartwarming family snapshots.

Hilaria shared with People that the conversation was a chance for us to openly communicate. She described it as a secure environment. Additionally, she believed it served as a form of emotional release, much like keeping a diary, during a time in our lives filled with uncertainty. This dialogue felt both scary and potentially empowering enough to help us navigate each day.

And they never forgot about the suffering experienced by Halyna’s family, either, she noted.

“A son lost his mom,” Hilaria said. “We are going to feel and carry that pain forever.”

She emphasized that we should embrace gratitude daily. Even the smallest joys of life can help us navigate difficult times.

Among her and Alec’s secrets for staying close: Having date night after the kids go to sleep.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I wholeheartedly attest that carving out shared moments has been instrumental in navigating both smooth sailing and turbulent phases in my relationship. In our journey, from our nuptials to the arrival of our children, he made it clear: “You are not only my wife and mother of our kids, but I also want you to remain my girlfriend, my partner in every sense.

From boyfriend and girlfriend to parents of seven, see Alec and Hilaria’s epic romance in photos:

Alec Baldwin shared with the New York Times that he exchanged contact information with Hilaria Thomas, who later became his wife, after their first encounter at Pure Food and Wine in New York City in February 2011. They played phone tag before eventually setting a date for dinner together.

That August they enjoyed their first US Open together, one of Alec’s favorite events.

In the months to come, Alec foresaw himself attending the 10th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation’s “An Enduring Vision” event at Cipriani Wall Street in October 2011, alongside Hilaria. The very next month, they chose to share a home together.

In 2012, Hilaria went with Alec to the Cannes Film Festival. He reflected, “Since my divorce, I’ve gone on numerous dates and pondered deeply about my future and aspirations. I might have overthought it a bit. I wasn’t fully prepared to seize an opportunity and act until I met Hilaria.

In April 2012, Alec’s rep confirmed to TopMob News that he and Hilaria were engaged.

Hilaria Baldwin and Ireland Baldwin often talk about their close bond on Twitter. Jokingly, Ireland said she would be the “flower girl” at the wedding, but in reality, she took on the role of a bridesmaid.

On June 30th, 2012, the joyous pair exchanged vows surrounded by loved ones at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in Manhattan. The bride gracefully wore an Amsale gown featuring silk magnolias, and the groom elegantly sported a Tom Ford tuxedo.

The couple has expanded their family to seven members, adding Carmen Gabriela (born August 23, 2013), Rafael Thomas (born June 17, 2015), Leonardo Ángel Charles (born September 12, 2016), Romeo Alejandro David (born May 17, 2018), Eduardo “Edu” Pao Lucas (born September 8, 2020), María Lucía Victoria (born February 25, 2021 through a surrogate), and Ilaria Catalina Irena (born September 22, 2022).

The whole family will be starring on TLC’s The Baldwins, premiering Feb. 23, 2025.

2025-02-14 05:22

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