Lily Collins and her husband, filmmaker Charlie McDowell, have welcomed their first child via surrogacy. The Emily in Paris star, 35, announced the joyful news on Instagram, sharing a heartfelt message along with the first photo of their newborn daughter.
“Welcome to the center of our world, Tove Jane McDowell,” Collins wrote. “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.”
The couple posted a sweet image of their baby girl wrapped in a monogrammed blanket, peacefully sleeping in a bassinet. The announcement was met with an outpouring of love from fans and friends, celebrating the newest addition to their family.
A Journey to Parenthood
Collins and McDowell, 41, tied the knot in September 2021 in an intimate ceremony. Since then, the couple has shared glimpses of their life together, often expressing their love and admiration for each other.
Collins has been vocal about her desire to start a family, revealing in past interviews how this goal played a role in her personal growth. In 2017, she spoke about overcoming her struggles with an eating disorder and how thinking about future motherhood motivated her journey toward recovery.
McDowell, the son of actors Mary Steenburgen and Malcolm McDowell, has been equally excited about their new chapter as parents. The couple’s journey has been one of deep love, support, and a shared dream of building a family.
Celebrating Life and Love
The announcement of their daughter’s birth came just a day after Collins paid tribute to her father, legendary musician Phil Collins, on his birthday. Sharing nostalgic photos of them together, including a snapshot from his Hollywood Walk of Fame induction in 1999, she reflected on their bond and the love they share.
Born in Guildford, Surrey, and raised in Los Angeles, Collins has built a successful acting career. She gained widespread recognition for her role as Emily Cooper in the hit Netflix series Emily in Paris, which follows the life of an ambitious American marketing executive navigating life and love in France.
The show, which has been renewed for a fifth season, has made Collins a global star. Fans eagerly await news of where the upcoming season will be filmed, as the previous one saw her character relocate to Rome.
A Milestone Year
Beyond her television success, Collins made her West End stage debut last year in Barcelona, a romantic thriller where she starred alongside Money Heist actor Álvaro Morte. The performance was praised for showcasing her versatility beyond the romantic-comedy genre.
Her personal and professional milestones have made 2024 an unforgettable year for Collins. Balancing her acting career with her new role as a mother, she continues to embrace new opportunities while cherishing the joys of family life.
A Love Story That Led to This Moment
Collins and McDowell first met in 2019 on the set of his film Gilded Rage, and their romance quickly blossomed. They made their relationship Instagram official later that year and announced their engagement in September 2020.
“I’ve been waiting my lifetime for you, and I can’t wait to spend our lifetime together,” Collins wrote at the time, sharing photos of the intimate proposal.
Their wedding in 2021 was a dreamy affair, with Collins describing it as a moment of pure happiness. “I’ve never wanted to be someone’s someone more than I do yours, and now I get to be your wife,” she expressed in a heartfelt post.
McDowell also shared his joy, calling Collins “the most generous, thoughtful, and beautiful person” he had ever known. Their love story has continued to inspire fans, and now, with the arrival of their daughter, they embark on a new adventure as parents.
Gratitude for Their Surrogate
The couple’s message highlighted their immense gratitude for the surrogate who made their dream of parenthood possible. While Collins and McDowell have kept details of their surrogacy journey private, their words reflected deep appreciation for the medical team and everyone involved in the process.
Their decision to openly acknowledge their surrogate also brings attention to the growing number of families who turn to surrogacy as a path to parenthood. Their story serves as a reminder of the many ways love and family can be built.
What’s Next for Lily Collins?
With Emily in Paris set to return and new acting opportunities on the horizon, Collins is balancing her thriving career with her new role as a mother. Fans are eager to see how she embraces both worlds, and with McDowell by her side, the future looks bright for their growing family.
For now, the couple is soaking in every moment with their newborn, celebrating the love and joy that little Tove Jane has brought into their lives.
