Lily Collins has officially stepped into motherhood! The Emily in Paris star and her husband, filmmaker Charlie McDowell, just welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Tove Jane McDowell. Lily shared the heartwarming news on Instagram on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, alongside a tribute to their surrogate.
“Welcome to the center of our world, Tove Jane McDowell. Words will never express our endless gratitude for our incredible surrogate and everyone who helped us along the way. We love you to the moon and back again…” Collins wrote.
With their daughter now in the picture, Lily and Charlie are fully embracing this new chapter. But while fans are celebrating the big news, many are also wondering—who exactly is Charlie McDowell, and how did their love story begin?
Who Is Lily Collins’ Husband Charlie McDowell?
Like Lily, her hubby McDowell has also deep Hollywood ties. Born to English actor Malcolm McDowell and American actress Mary Steenburgen, Charlie grew up surrounded by the film industry. But instead of stepping in front of the camera, the filmmaker forged his own path behind it.
As a director and screenwriter, McDowell has worked on several high-profile projects. He made waves with the 2014 romantic thriller The One I Love and followed it up with the 2017 Netflix sci-fi drama The Discovery. His 2022 film Windfall, also on Netflix, brought another unique take on psychological storytelling.
Most recently, in 2024, Charlie directed a drama The Summer Book.
They Got Engaged in 2020
Collins and McDowell first crossed paths in 2019 on the set of his film, Gilded Rage. What started as a solid working relationship soon turned into something more. The two clicked instantly, and their connection only deepened when they teamed up again for Windfall.
By September 25, 2020, McDowell was ready to take the next step. He proposed in front of a breathtaking New Mexico backdrop, capturing the moment with a self-timer—a move that perfectly fit his director’s eye for storytelling.
Collins, who starred in The Inheritance, later shared her excitement during a virtual appearance on Live with Kelly and Ryan.
“I can’t believe I get to call myself a fiancée now,” the actress gushed. “I was very surprised as to when and where it would happen. But it was kind of one of those situations where I knew the second that I met him, that I wanted to be his wife one day.”
They Have Been Married Since 2021
The power duo tied the knot on September 4, 2021, in a dreamy ceremony at Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado. The intimate wedding, set against a stunning mountain backdrop, felt straight out of a fairytale—and the couple made sure to share the magic with their fans.
Collins posted a romantic snapshot of their altar kiss on her Instagram, captioning it with heartfelt words:
“I’ve never wanted to be someone’s someone more than I do yours, and now I get to be your wife. On September 4th, 2021, we officially became each other’s forever. I love you beyond @charliemcdowell…”
Her husband McDowell also shared his own tribute, writing:
“I married the most generous, thoughtful, and beautiful person I’ve ever known. I love you @lilyjcollins.”
A month later, on October 12, Collins gave fans another glimpse, posting breathtaking honeymoon photos from their trip to Scandinavia.
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Since then, the couple has been enjoying their married life, balancing Hollywood projects with their personal time together. They primarily live in Los Angeles but also own a cozy getaway in Copenhagen, Denmark, where they can escape the spotlight when needed.
Collins and McDowell Are Also Dog Lovers
Before welcoming their daughter, Lily Collins, and Charlie McDowell were already proud parents—to their adorable rescue pup, Redford. The couple adopted him from Love Leo Rescue, and the pooch has been a beloved part of their family ever since.
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Collins first introduced baby Redford to the world in December 2019, posting a sweet photo of their furry friend on Instagram. Since then, Redford has made regular appearances on both their social media pages, often stealing the spotlight with his charm.
