Alec Baldwin Didn't Want a Girlfriend Before Meeting Wife Hilaria: 'But I Fell Madly in Love with Her' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

“I had been married, got divorced. I dated another woman for off and on for quite a while. I’m like, ‘I don’t want to have a girlfriend. I don’t,'” Alec recalls of 2011, when he and Hilaria first entered each other’s lives.

Alec was previouslymarried to actress Kim Basinger from 1993 to 2002, with whom he shares daughterIreland Baldwin, 29.

“And so when I met [Hilaria], I was really like, ‘Oh, God. I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to do this,'” Alec remembers. “But I mean, I fell madly in love with her. And I told my friends, and they were like, ‘Oh, Jesus Christ. It’s like a miracle.'”

Hilaria and Alec Baldwin.Gillian Laub

Gillian Laub

The Emmy-winning30 Rockstar, 66, and author, yoga pro and wellness expert, 41, would later go on to wed in 2012, and are now parents to seven kids: Carmen, 11, Rafael, 9, Leonardo, 8, Romeo, 6, Eduardo and Marilu, 4, and Ilaria, 2.

The couple are at the center of the of the newTLC reality seriesThe Baldwins(premiering Feb. 23), which captures lighthearted moments between the two and their large family, as well as the emotional fallout over Alec’s legal drama after the accidental shooting on the set of his movieRust.

“We’re like an old couple,” says Hilaria when asked about their adorable banter that’s a funny highlight of the show. “We’re half of an old couple,” Alec quickly interjects.

As Hilaria remembers it, Alec took his time to make first move, making her wait six weeks before they kissed. “He shook my hand, which was fine,” she recalls matter-of-factly. “No hug, nothing.”

“Well, no, I had been dating someone,” Alec explains.

“Listen, I’m older, I’m from a different civilization,” he continues. “And in my mind, when I was younger, if you sleep with someone, you have a bond with them. And I bonded with people that I did not want to bond with, but I did that. And then with her, the same thing. I’m thinking, ‘Oh, I don’t want another girlfriend.'““He was very respectful,” says Hilaria.“I just didn’t want to make her like … She’s a beautiful woman, I’m sure she’s had people all over her,” jokes Alec.

Hilaria and Alec Baldwin.Kevin Mazur/Getty

Kevin Mazur/Getty

The couple’s relationship has been put to the test over the years, having been picked apart for their age difference, their decision to have a large family and everything in between.The Baldwinsoffers them the opportunity to reclaim their narrative and upend unfair misconceptions (she’s a gold-digger; he’s a grump).

“Telling your story is one thing, and showing your story is something else,” says Hilaria. “It felt authentic, it felt human. It felt very empowering.”

The Baldwinspremieres on Sunday, Feb. 23 at 10pm E.T. on TLC.

For more on Alec and Hilaria Baldwin, pick up the new issue ofPEOPLE.

source: people.com