Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell Celebrate the Arrival of Their First Baby
Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell are proud new parents! The couple delighted their fans on Friday, January 31, with the announcement of their first child’s arrival via surrogate.
“Welcome to the center of our universe, Tove Jane McDowell,” Collins, 35, shared on Instagram along with an adorable picture of their little one in a bassinet. “Words cannot capture our immense gratitude for our amazing surrogate and everyone who supported us on this journey. We love you to the moon and back…”
Before welcoming her daughter, the Emily in Paris actress was candid about how her wish to start a family aided her in overcoming her eating disorder and seeking help.
“Recovery looks different for everyone. I never experienced an ‘aha’ moment,” Collins revealed to Us Weekly in July 2017. “The turning point for me was when I realized I wanted to have a family. I wanted to raise kids without bringing my struggles into that.”
The U.K. native and McDowell, the son of actress Mary Steenburgen and stepson of actor Ted Danson, first crossed paths on the set of his film Gilded Rage in 2019. Their connection was instant, and they made their relationship Instagram official in August 2019.
“Always got your back…,” Collins wrote alongside a collection of photos of her and McDowell in Paris.
By September 2020, the To the Bone star took to Instagram to announce her engagement to McDowell.
“I’ve been waiting a lifetime for you, and I can’t wait to spend forever together,” Collins captioned a kissing photo of the couple.
In an interview on Live With Kelly and Ryan in October 2020, the award-winning actress revealed that she realized right away that McDowell was her soulmate.
“I was taken aback by when and where it happened, but I just knew the moment I met him that I wanted to marry him one day,” Collins shared.
She elaborated on how the proposal unfolded.
“It was meticulously planned,” Collins explained to Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest. “He set up a self-timer video for the proposal, and we captured some great moments. He coordinated everything without my knowledge, and I was genuinely surprised, but it was perfectly tailored to what I would have wanted. He knows me so well.”
Almost a year after getting engaged, the couple wed in September 2021.
“I’ve never wanted to be someone’s someone more than I want to be yours, and now I get to be your wife. On September 4, 2021, we officially became each other’s forever. I love you endlessly @charliemcdowell,” Collins posted alongside a wedding photo via Instagram.
McDowell posted an equally heartfelt message: “I married the most generous, thoughtful, and beautiful person I’ve ever known. I love you @lilyjcollins.”
