Washington [US]: Actor and film producer Alec Baldwin opened up about his divorce from ex-wife Kim Basinger and how the split affected their daughter, Ireland Baldwin, now 29. Speaking on a recent episode of the new TLC reality show “The Baldwins,” Baldwin described the years following the divorce as “just insanity and really, really tough,” reported People.
The Aftermath of a High-Profile Divorce
Baldwin, who was married to Basinger from 1993 to 2002, revealed that the protracted custody battle lasted for seven years, with financial disputes stretching for a year and a half. The media’s intense coverage of the split only worsened the situation.
“My relationship with my daughter Ireland was so negatively impacted by my divorce from her mother and having a very protracted custody battle,” Baldwin said.
One of Baldwin’s most regrettable moments was the impact the divorce had on Ireland. In a widely publicized incident, an angry voicemail Baldwin left for Ireland surfaced, temporarily causing him to lose visitation rights and leading to a public apology.
Moving Forward: Family and Healing
Since then, Baldwin has remarried. He and his current wife, Hilaria Baldwin, whom he married in 2012, share seven children:
- Daughters: Carmen Gabriela, Maria Lucia Victoria, and Ilaria Catalina Irena
- Sons: Rafael Thomas, Leonardo Angel Charles, Romeo Alejandro David, and Eduardo “Edu” Pao Lucas
Baldwin mentioned that he now has a good relationship with Ireland.
“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 shared. He emphasized his desire to maintain a strong bond with his oldest daughter, Carmen, saying, “I want to have a good relationship with Carmen because I have a girl all over again.”
Kim Basinger’s Perspective
Kim Basinger also spoke about her relationship with Baldwin, describing it as “genuinely cordial” and, in many ways, loving.
“We don’t spend Christmases and holidays or see each other very much. But we talk,” Basinger said. “He’ll pick up the phone and call me, and we have a very genuinely cordial and, I think, loving relationship in a lot of ways, just because we share a daughter.”
Reflecting on the past, Basinger called her divorce from Baldwin “heavy-duty” and acknowledged that Ireland had to endure a challenging period.
“Ireland had to go through that very rough time,” she said, as per People.
A Path to Reconciliation
The former couple’s willingness to maintain a respectful and open line of communication highlights a path to reconciliation after a tumultuous divorce. Both Baldwin and Basinger seem committed to providing a supportive environment for Ireland, despite their past conflicts.