All About Margaret Qualley's Famous Parents, Actress Andie MacDowell and Paul Qualley

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Andie MacDowell Instagram

Andie MacDowell Instagram

Margaret Qualleywas destined for Hollywood.

Her parents, actressAndie MacDowelland former model and rancher Paul Qualley, were married in 1986 and share two other children together; daughterRainey Qualley, who is also an actress, and son Justin Qualley.

MacDowell is known for her roles in films likeFour Weddings and a Funeral(1984) andGroundhog Day(1993).

Margaret’s own acting career took off with HBO’sThe Leftoversfrom 2014 to 2017. She’s best known for FX’sFosse/VerdonandNetflix’sMaid, in which shecostarred alongside her mom.

Qualley has remained out of the spotlight, but the couple did come together for Margaret’s August 2023 wedding to music producerJack Antonoff.

Here’s everything to know about Margaret Qualley’s parents, Andie MacDowell and Paul Qualley.

They met while working as models and married in 1986

Andie MacDowell and Paul Qualley during “Sex, Lies and Videotape” New York City Premiere Party.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty

MacDowell and Qualley met on a modeling job for Gap. They married in 1986 and lived in on a ranch in Montana while MacDowell began to build her acting career. When she was 40, the couple moved their family to South Carolina, where the actress’ sister lived.

“I decided I didn’t want to grow older in the middle of nowhere among people who weren’t my family,” she toldThe Agein 2002.

They have three children

Andie MacDowell, Rainey Qualley, Paul Qualley and Margaret Qualley at the Cinema II in New York City.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

The former couple sharethree children; son Justin (born in 1986) and daughters Rainey (born in 1990) and Margaret (born in 1994).

Rainey is an actress as well as a model and singer, who performs under the name Rainsford.

Margaret is a Golden Globe-nominated actress known for her roles in FX’sFosse/Verdon,Once Upon a Time in Hollywood(2019) and Netfix’sMaid.

“Being a mother was a priority to me,” MacDowell shared in an Instagram post celebrating her son’s 35th birthday. “I definitely wanted to have a successful career but I did not want it to be at the cost of not having the opportunity to have a family."

She continued, “This was back in the days when we called this for women ‘having it all.’ As if we were being greedy to want to be able to have a career and have children. I made it work and he was the magic I needed, the love that filled me up along with my other children to give me the courage to be all I could be.”

They divorced in 1999

Paul Qualley and Andie MacDowell during 65th Annual Academy Awards at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection/Getty

MacDowell and Qualley divorced in 1999 after 13 years of marriage.

After her parents' split, Margaret recalled encouraging MacDowell to watch one of her favorite movies at the time, 1998’sThe Parent Trap, hoping that it would inspire her to get back together with Paul.

“I would tell my mom how much I lovedThe Parent Trapand be like, ‘We should watch it. It’s a really smart movie. They make a lot of good decisions in that movie,’ ” Margaret toldHarper’s Bazaarin 2023.

The actress was shocked when her mombegan datingParent Trapactor(and MacDowell’sDinner with Friendscostar)Dennis Quaid.

“She comes home and she’s like, ‘Margaret, I know how much you loveThe Parent Trap…’ And I was like, ‘Yeah?’ and waiting with bated breath, hoping my parents were getting back together,” Margaret recalled.

“And then in walks Dennis Quaid — her new boyfriend,” she continued. “I wasn’t living in Hollywood; I was living in a normal suburban town. But then I would have these ‘What in the world?’ moments.”

In a 2019 appearance onThe Late Late Show, Margaret spoke about her connection toThe Parent Trapand joked that MacDowell “really misunderstood” her intentions.

“I was sure that it was all my fault and I had wished this into fruition,” she said at the time. “I took complete responsibility.”

Margaret says she had a “normal” childhood

Andie McDowell and her Margaret Qualley.Frank Trapper/Corbis/Getty

Frank Trapper/Corbis/Getty

Growing up in North Carolina, Margaret says she had a relatively normal childhood, though she would sometimes get a peak into her mother’s glamorous job.

In 2023, the actress toldThe Evening Standardthat MacDowell was “probably the only Hollywood actress in Asheville.”

“I grew up always being like, ‘Well, it’s just normal to me, she’s my mom, so it’s my normal life,’ but also I knew it was weird,” Margaret said.

She continued, “It’s weird. I’m really lucky. It was a strange thing but then I did go to a normal school, [had] normal friends, and have a somewhat normal life. Then my mom would go off and do movies and sometimes I’d go with her and sometimes I’d meet, like, Gérard Depardieu.”

While talking toHarper’s Bazaarin September 2023, Qualley talked about her perception of her mom’s career growing up.

“I think I understood enough to be proud of her. At the same time, I didn’t love the whole movie thing when I was a kid,” she said. “My mom going off to do a movie just meant she’s going to leave town and go kiss some other dude and have a pretend life that I’m not involved in.”

Margaret and her mother acted together in Netfllix’sMaid

Maragret Qualley as Alex and Andie MacDowell as Paula in ‘Maid’.RICARDO HUBBS/NETFLIX

RICARDO HUBBS/NETFLIX

In the 10-episode drama, Margaret stars as Alex, a down-on-her-luck single mother who turns to housecleaning after leaving an abusive relationship. MacDowell plays Alex’s mother, Paula, whom is referred to as “undiagnosed bipolar.”

Margaret was the one who suggested that MacDowell play the role of her on-screen mom, and the mother-daughter duo hung out every Sunday (their only day off) while filming.

“I got to work with somebody that I’ve grown up admiring since the fricking get-go — my very first idol,” she toldThe Hollywood Reporterin 2021.

“That’s a really special thing to happen to a parent, to have a child trust them and to want themto play opposite them,” MacDowell toldNPRin 2021.

Maidearned both Margaret and MacDowell Golden Globe nominations.

MacDowell has given her children career advice

Rainey Qualley, honoree Andie MacDowell and Margaret Qualley attend the National Women’s History Museum’s 8th Annual Women Making History Awards on March 08, 2020.Rachel Murray/Getty

Rachel Murray/Getty

MacDowell’s daughters, Margaret and Rainey, have followed in her footsteps. In 2017, the matriarch told PEOPLE that while they both “really wanted to do it on their own,” she’s stillgiven them career advice.

“Mostly, I told them that fame is a huge responsibility,” theReady or Notactress said. “And it’s not always easy to be recognizable all the time. It’s not really real. And to not lose sight of their true self because that’s going to be most important to being happy.”

As she’sbecome an empty nester, MacDowell says she’s learned to loosen the reigns on her children.

“Once they’re older, you then have to learn to let go,” she told PEOPLE in 2019. “I’ve done my job and I’ve done my job well because my kids are all making their own choices for themselves and developing into the people that they’re supposed to be. The most important thing that you will teach your children is to be independent.”

They became grandparents in 2022

Andie MacDowell and Justin Qualley attend the National Women’s History Museum’s 8th Annual Women Making History Awards on March 08, 2020.Rachel Murray/Getty

“My children are the best part of my life. I am constantly learning from them, they are my greatest teachers,” she wrote in the post’s caption. “My job, my work is wonderful but my children are my life. I cannot wait to meet my sweet new grandchild. I’m so proud of all three of my children. and I love and I’m proud of sweet Nicolette too!!!”

“I just spent Christmas with her,” she shared. “I’ve never had somebody look into me and see my soul like that. It was definitely a soul-to-soul connection.”

Asked what the actress wants to be called as a grandparent, MacDowell replied, “I haven’t decided, she can’t speak yet. I’m gonna give her time.”

“I’m thinking Nana or Grandma,” she continued. “Not Granny. It’s up to her.”

They attended Margaret’s wedding to Jack Antonoff

Andie MacDowell, Margaret Qualley and Jack Antonoff at the AFI Awards Luncheon held at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel on March 11th, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California.Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media/Getty

Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media/Getty

MacDowell and Qualley were both in attendance at their daughterMargaret’s August 2023 weddingto music producer Jack Antonoff. The celebration took place in New Jersey and hosted a slew of celebrity guests, includingTaylor Swift,Lana Del Rey,Channing Tatum,Zoë KravitzandCara Delevingne.

For the star-studded event, MacDowell wore a Cynthia Rowley floral-print maxi dress and showed off hernow-signature gray hair.

Her dad was her date to the 2025 Golden Globes

Margaret Qualley and dad Paul Qualley attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California.Monica Schipper/Getty

Monica Schipper/Getty

When Antonoff was sick and unable to be Margaret’s date for the 2025 Golden Globes, Qualley stepped in to walk the red carpet with her.

He wore a black suit over aOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodt-shirt — the first major movie role his daughter ever had.

While talking toEntertainment Tonighton the red carpet, Qualley said he was “very proud” of Margaret, adding, “I always have been, ever since she was tiny.”

source: people.com