Actress Lily Collins, known for her role as Emily in Emily in Paris, surprised fans with the announcement of the birth of her first child, Tove Jane McDowell, via surrogacy on January 31, 2025. The star shared the news through her Instagram account, expressing her and her husband Charlie McDowell's heartfelt gratitude toward their surrogate. "Welcome to the center of our world, Tove Jane McDowell. Words will never express our infinite gratitude for our amazing surrogate and for everyone who helped us along the way. We love you to the moon and back..." she wrote.
The couple celebrated the arrival of their daughter earlier this week, marking a significant milestone as they begin their family together. Fans have known about their desire to expand their family for some time, with both expressing their hopes publicly. Lily and Charlie opted for surrogacy, commonly chosen by couples who face medical challenges or, like them, want to explore this family-building route.
Lily, 35, and Charlie, 41, tied the knot in 2021, and their romance has drawn media attention not only due to their respective careers but also their notable family backgrounds; Charlie is the son of well-known actors Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steenburgen, and Lily is the daughter of legendary musician Phil Collins. The intertwining of their artistic legacies adds another layer of intrigue to their relationship.
The birth announcement aligns with the celebration of Phil Collins' birthday, adding sentimental value to their posts. Just one day before announcing her daughter's birth, Lily honored her father’s 74th birthday on Instagram, stating, "From a West Coast star to the stages of the West End and everywhere between, I'm so grateful to walk beside you..."
This intertwining of personal milestones shows how family values resonate through Lily's life, especially as she enters motherhood. The couple's choice to share their surrogacy experience shines light on the topic, which, though becoming increasingly common, still carries its unique set of emotional and logistical challenges.
Despite this, Lily and Charlie managed to keep their plans relatively private until the birth announcement, creating a delightful surprise for their fans. The emotional depth captured in their public messages emphasizes their gratitude not only to the surrogate who carried Tove but also to those close to them who offered support throughout the process.
Although no specific details were provided about Tove's birth, the couple's love and excitement for their daughter were evident. A snapshot shared by Collins showed Tove cozily wrapped in a white blanket with her name embroidered, symbolizing the couple's embrace of their new role as parents.
Throughout their relationship, the couple has emphasized mutual support for each other’s careers. Both managed to blend their professional lives, with Charlie’s recent projects often intersecting with Lily’s rising fame from Emily in Paris. Such collaboration suggests not only romantic but professional coordination, perhaps hinting at future joint initiatives.
With Tove Jane McDowell’s arrival, Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell take their place as parents, ready to embrace all the adventures motherhood and fatherhood bring. This significant moment stands as the beginning of what is sure to be another exciting chapter for this artistic couple who balance their professional endeavors with heartfelt family life.
Collins’ story touches upon broader themes of family and support structures. Her decision to welcome her first child through surrogacy mirrors the experiences of many families today and adds to the conversation about modern parenthood. This approach resonates with others who seek similar paths to parenthood and underlines the importance of love and gratitude at the celebration of such personal milestones.