Alec Baldwin reflects on 'difficult' divorce affecting his role as father to 7 children with Hilaria
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Alec Baldwin shared deeply personal insights about the lingering effects of his divorce from Kim Basinger and how it has shaped his parenting style with his younger children.
In a candid conversation on his reality series, 'The Baldwins', the 66-year-old actor expressed how the painful experience has influenced his commitment to being a father to his seven children he shares with Hilaria Baldwin.
Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger's painful divorce
Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger were one of Hollywood’s most celebrated couples during the 1990s, but their highly publicized divorce in 2002 was anything but amicable.
The legal battle over custody of their daughter, Ireland Baldwin, stretched over seven years, with intense media coverage exacerbating the difficulties.
In the confessional on 'The Baldwins', Baldwin recalled the turmoil of that period, describing it as “unnecessarily difficult” and a source of immense personal and financial strain.
“My divorce with Ireland’s mother was not easy. Very lengthy, very expensive. Just insanity,” the actor admitted.
“I was on a plane every other week, flying back and forth from New York to Los Angeles 18 times a year. I even got a house eight doors down from my daughter and her mother, thinking it would help, but it didn’t," he added.
Baldwin’s frustration over the drawn-out custody battle was further compounded by a leaked voicemail in which he left an angry message for Ireland.
The controversy resulted in temporary visitation loss and forced the actor to issue a public apology, further straining their father-daughter relationship, according to People.
Alec Baldwin opens up on carrying emotional baggage into fatherhood
Having endured such a tumultuous separation, Alec Baldwin revealed that the experience has significantly influenced how he now parents his seven children with his wife Hilaria.
He acknowledged that the difficulties he faced with Ireland have made him more determined to be present and involved in the lives of his younger children.
“Because my relationship with Ireland was so negatively impacted by my experience getting divorced from her mother, I bring all that baggage into this situation, sadly,” Baldwin confessed.
“This is why I think I’m so focused on parenting at this level, being around a lot, taking them to school most days, instead of working,” he shared.
Alec Baldwin and Ireland Baldwin's renewed father-daughter bond
Despite the past struggles, Alec Baldwin emphasized that he and Ireland have managed to rebuild their relationship over the years.
He shared that while she deeply cares for her younger siblings, the significant age gap makes it difficult for her to be a part of their daily routines.
“She loves the kids. I mean, she’s very sweet to them, and she’s their older sister, but she’s not in that pack,” Baldwin noted.
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"This is why I think I’m so focused on [oldest daughter] Carmen, I want to have a good relationship with Carmen because I have a girl all over again,” he added.
