Hilaria Baldwin says she was ready to leave Alec if stepdaughter Ireland disapproved of their romance

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Hilaria Baldwin was prepared to walk away from her relationship with Alec Baldwin if his eldest daughter Ireland Baldwin had not approved of their romance.

The 41-year-old opened up about her journey as a stepmother on the Sunday, March 23 episode of TLC’s 'The Baldwins', reflecting on the early stages of her relationship with Ireland, now 29.

Hilaria Baldwin opens up on being just 11 years older than stepdaughter Ireland Baldwin

On the show, Hilaria Baldwin said, “I feel like it is unique for a stepmom and stepdaughter relationship.”

“First of all, I am 11 years older than her, I didn’t raise her, and we find tremendous humor in that,” she added.

When Hilaria and Alec, 66, first started dating, she was determined not to create any discord within the family.

“Before I was her stepmother, when I met her I told Alec, ‘If she doesn’t like me, I am not staying,’” Hilaria recalled.

“I [was] not going to be the wicked stepmother. My place in life is not to come into a family and cause problems,” she shared.

Fortunately, Hilaria’s fears were quickly put to rest as Ireland embraced her with open arms.

“She immediately welcomed me, and we have never fought. It is so easy,” Hilaria said, adding that she had “too much respect for the family” to ever put herself in a position of causing tension.

Alec Baldwin’s complicated history with Ireland Baldwin and Kim Basinger

Before tying the knot with Hilaria Baldwin, Alec Baldwin was married to actress Kim Basinger.

The two Hollywood stars got hitched in 1993 after meeting on the set of the 1991 film 'The Marrying Man'.

However, their marriage began to fall apart a few years after welcoming Ireland in 1995, and they officially divorced in 2002.

The split turned into a prolonged and bitter custody battle that lasted seven years.

One of the most infamous moments from their turbulent relationship was Alec’s 2007 voicemail to Ireland, in which he called her a “rude, thoughtless little pig” for not answering a scheduled phone call.

The message made headlines and led to a temporary breakdown in their relationship.

Despite past challenges, Alec and Ireland have since mended their father-daughter bond, especially as the 29-year-old has stepped into the role of a mother herself.

The model welcomed her first child, daughter Holland, in May 2023.

Alec and Hilaria first met in 2011 and married the following year, despite their 26-year age gap.

With Ireland now raising a child of her own, their family dynamic continues to evolve, but Hilaria remains grateful for the connection they have built over the years.

“We have so much fun together, and I am lucky to have her in my life,” she said, according to the New York Post.