May-December romances get some criticism, but a lot of couples do make them work, including Alec and Hilaria. Alec Baldwin is the oldest and most famous Baldwin brother. He's part of a family of acting brothers. Alec is successful on the small and big screen, and he's had notable roles on the TV shows, Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock. He's also appeared in many popular films, including Beetlejuice, Boss Baby, Working Girl, Glengarry Glen Ross, and The Departed.
After his 2002 divorce from Batman and 8 Mile actress, Kim Basinger, many people thought the comedic star would remain a bachelor. All of that changed when he met Hilaria Thomas, who is an actor, dancer, and yoga enthusiast. Hilaria is now known as Hilaria Baldwin and she's the co-founder of Yoga Vida. She has her own wellness book, The Living Clearly Method: 5 Principles for a Fit Body, Healthy Mind & Joyful Life.
Judging by their busy lives, they are clearly very motivated individuals who are striving for personal and career success. On top of that, they make enjoying life with their four children a priority and also spend time with Ireland, who is Alec’s grown daughter from his previous marriage.
A quick glance at their Instagrams makes it obvious that family, and their romantic relationship, is a huge focus for Alec and Hilaria. Here are 15 little known facts about the Hollywood super couple.
15 How They Met Is Out Of A Hollywood Movie
Sometimes, people meet through friends; other times, it’s like the beginning of a Rom-com movie and this was the case for Alec and Hilaria Baldwin.
To celebrate their anniversary, Baldwin shared the story of their first meeting on Instagram, saying, "8 years ago, I wandered into Pure Food and Wine on Irving Place, on an unseasonably warm February evening. My friend, @bocartist and I sat down (outside!) and as I turned to my left, I saw a woman who would change my life. Entirely. 8 years today. Thanks for all you’ve given me. You are a gift."
Hilaria confirmed this story, adding that Alec is as smooth in real life as he is on the big screen. She said, "I was standing near the door with my friends when he walked up and took my hand and said, ‘I must know you." ’You must know me?’, she answered, right before Alec gave her his card.
14 Their First Kiss
When they were first dating, Alec took things slow...so slow that Hilaria wasn’t sure how he felt about her and if it was a friendship or a new romance. She said, "He didn’t kiss me for six weeks! He shook my hands for six weeks. We’d have the most romantic dinner date, and afterward he’d drop me off at my house and shake my hand... My girlfriends would call me and say, ‘Anything yet?’ and I’d say, “Nope, nope, nope.”
13 Opposites Attract
With a 26-year age difference between the couple, many wondered whether they’d have enough in common to go the distance. The age gap is one facet of their relationship that Hilaria has never minded much.
She said, “I didn’t really think too much of it because we’re so different. Everyone has commented on our age difference, and it is big and I’m not someone who watches TV. So, he’s somebody completely out of my world—not someone I’d necessarily think of."
12 When They Moved In Together
While things started off slowly, it didn’t take long for the fireworks. Hilaria says their relationship moved quickly, beyond those first six weeks. She says, "Five months into our relationship, we got an apartment together; then we started talking about getting married; then he proposed; then we got married; now we have a kid, so it all went quite fast!"
11 Her Relationship With Ireland
Going into a relationship with a man who has a daughter from a previous marriage can be a challenge. Hilaria’s easygoing approach to being a stepmother seems to have worked, as Hilaria and Alec's daughter, Ireland Baldwin, have developed a tight relationship.
Hilaria said of Ireland, “I don’t ever expect her to be anyone other than herself. As someone who loves her, my job was not to step in and take over...but rather respect what had been for the first 15 years of her life and then become a part of that, in a way that works for everyone."
10 The Proposal
Alec and Hilaria tied the knot on June 29, 2012, at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in New York City. While Baldwin had been candid about his reservations about marriage, due to his divorce from Kim Basinger, he changed his mind about marrying again when he met Hilaria.
He said, “I’ve dated a lot of people since my divorce and have thought a lot about what I wanted and what I wanted to do. I thought about it too much, I suppose. I wasn’t really ready to take that chance and to act until I met Hilaria."
9 Having Kids Later In Life
Alec is the father of four young children, at an age when most men become grandparents. He and Hilaria make it work by balancing familial responsibilities (also, celebrity money probably doesn’t hurt when it comes to lightening the workload). Alec is fully committed to being an active parent with his large brood.
8 Making Their Blended Family Work
Many people have criticized Hilaria for not mentioning Ireland, along with her biological children, in interviews and social media posts.
Hilaria is no-nonsense and was quick to address the critiques head-on. She said: "Sometimes my language about my biological children does not include her. Because I did not birth her and I never want to disrespect the fact that she has a wonderful mother. But this will never take away from how much I love her, need her in my life, and think that she is one of the best things that has ever happened to me."
7 Dealing With Loss Together
It was important to Hilaria to be candid when letting the world know about her pregnancies and miscarriages. She helped to create a space where other women could feel comfortable with their own losses.
Hilaria had two miscarriages in 2019. She wrote on Instagram, "There was no heartbeat today at my scan...so it’s over...but I have some pretty strong and amazing heartbeats right here. I am surrounded by such love and I feel so fortunate. Thank you all for listening, for your support, and for sharing your own personal stories."
Following the second miscarriage, Today reported Hilaria’s message, which said: “We also want you to know that even though we are not ok right now, we will be,” she wrote on Instagram. “We are so lucky with our 4 healthy babies—and we will never lose sight of this.”
6 Putting Their Future Goals On The Table
Despite a great loss in 2019, Alec is optimistic about continuing to expand the family. During a gala at the American Museum of Natural History, Alec told Extra, “We’re going to have another one, just not now. It’s a question of time… It was a surprise.”
Hopefully, 2020 brings them another healthy family member.
5 Playing Nice With Kim Basinger
When you’re co-parenting, establishing a good working relationship between parents and stepparents is the key to a peaceful and communicative existence. Hilaria has nothing but good things to say about her husband’s ex-wife, Kim Basinger.
Hilaria values and respects Ireland’s position within their family, and wants approval from Ireland...and from Ireland's mother, Kim.
Hilaria said, "She has a good mother, who I have tremendous respect for...and I put myself in Kim’s shoes: if my children ever had a stepmother, I’d want her to let me be number one. When I met Ireland, I said to Alec: if she is not ok with our relationship, I cannot go further. Family is first and she needed to be ok with me. We have never had a fight or a bad moment. Nor have I with her mother."
4 The Step Mama Bear
Over the years, Hilaria and Ireland have enjoyed a close relationship. Just like biological parents want to protect their grown children, Hilaria wants to protect Ireland.
Hilaria said, "I love my stepdaughter as much as I love my biological children and I become a mommy lioness when I see comments that insinuate otherwise. Having a stepchild is a delicate matter. Especially one who is grown. I think my relationship with her has been so successful because I never tried to step in as her mommy. “
3 How Hilaria Has Helped Evolve Alec's Parenting
Working as a team is a part of parenting, Alec and Hilaria are on the same page. Hilaria told Mom.com about Alec’s commitment to parenting: “He’s a good dad, a very good dad. I don’t think you ever know how they’re going to be until you experience it. Everybody says, “Oh yeah, sure. I’m going to be with you, and I’m going to change diapers and do all these things,” and you always worry that at 2 a.m. you’re going to be alone with your child and your husband’s going to be snoring. But no, [Alec's] really great. He wakes up with me every single time that she wakes up. He’s sweet.”
2 Making 2020 A Year To Remember
To celebrate the coming of a new decade, the Baldwin family visited a place near and dear to them. It was the place where Alec proposed to Hilaria. Commemorating the moment with a photo shared on Instagram, Hilaria wrote, “Happy 2020. Alec and I got engaged at the lighthouse right behind us. Look at what life has brought us.”
1 Learning From Each Other
Hilaria and Alec have worked hard to overcome a particularly challenging 2019 and succeed as an active, happy, and supportive family. Hilaria says that through their loss, their relationship has strengthened. Alec said they remain a tight unit and added, “If we were closer… I would be sewn to her.”
Sources: Oprah Magazine, Pop Culture, CNN, Syracuse, Showbiz Cheat Sheet