Lily Collins announces surprise birth of first baby born via surrogate

Lily Collins has shared the birth of her baby daughter, Tove Jane McDowell, through surrogacy.

The Netflix star, 35, has been married to husband, director and writer Charlie McDowell, since September 2021 and this is the couple’s first baby together after a secret surrogate pregnancy.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, she wrote: ‘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…’

Alongside an image of Tove in a blanketed basket with her hand cradling her daughter.

Friends and fans have rushed to congratulate the Emily in Paris actor in the comments.

Daisy Jones and the Six star Riley Keough shared multiple heart eye emojis.

Amanda Seyfried added: ‘This is perfect. So so happy for you four.’

Madonna’s daughter Billie Lourd commented: ‘!!!!!! Congratulations galore!!! So happy for you!!!!’

Sofia Richie Grainge shared: ‘Love you all so much ! Congratulations’

And Modern Family star Sarah Hyland echoed: ‘I’m sobbinggggg,’ alongside a couple heart eye emojis.

‘Oh my goodness, wow!! Huge congratulations to you both!!! And what a beautiful name. Couldn’t be happier for you all,’ @selenalilyblake wrote.

‘OMG, THIS IS SUCH A DREAM!!!!!!! Congratulations,’ @maijom added.

Although the couple decided to keep the news of their growing family out of the spotlight until now, they have discussed wanting children of their own in the past.

In October 2024, Charlie coyly told E! News that they ‘would like to’ start a family.

‘We would like to move into that next stage, so we’ll see when it happens!’ he said.

And in Harper’s Bazaar in 2023, Lily shared: ‘Of course, I’d love to have a family. So there’s the personal, the work, there’s the blending of the two…

‘It’s always a juggle, but I want it to be – I want to be able to do all the things I enjoy. The key thing is finding out what makes sense for us.’

The pair have also professionally worked together on the upcoming movie The Summer Book.

At a special screening for the film at the end of last year, which Lily didn’t attend, Charlie added to E! News: ‘I would fall into a dark hole of nothingness without her. She’s amazing. She was there the whole time we were shooting in Finland and supporting as a partner and also as an executive producer.’

After the pair tied the knot, Lily also gushed about her husband, writing: ‘I’ve never want to be someone’s someone more than I do yours, and now I get to be your wife.’

It’s a time of celebration for the Collins family. Earlier this week, Lily shared a sweet message about her famous dad, drummer Phil Collins, on his 74th birthday.

‘From a west coast star to the West End stage and everywhere in between — I’m so grateful to be by your side.

‘[I’m so grateful] for the support, experiences, and love we have and will continue to share. The older I get, the greater I appreciate all the little, special moments spent together.’

She concluded: Happy birthday Dad. I couldn’t love you more or be more thankful to celebrate you today and every day. Truly. To the moon and back again.’

The caption was paired with two photos of the father-daughter duo including one from her youth with her dad at the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a recent image while she made her West End debut with Bess Wohl’s Barcelona.

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