Margaret Qualley has a way of showing up in the most interesting places — dancing through a Kenzo ad one moment, then breaking your heart in a Netflix limited series the next. The daughter of actress Andie MacDowell and former model Paul Qualley, she’s built a career that invites both admiration and the occasional nepo-baby label.
Born: October 23, 1994 ·
Age (2025): 30 ·
Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) ·
Mother: Andie MacDowell ·
Spouse: Jack Antonoff (m. 2024) ·
Notable Roles: Maid, The Leftovers, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Quick snapshot
- Born October 23, 1994 in Kalispell, Montana (IMDb Biography)
- Mother: Andie MacDowell (actress), Father: Paul Qualley (former model) (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Trained as a ballet dancer from age 10 (Wikipedia)
- Film debut in ‘Palo Alto’ (2013) (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Breakthrough role in HBO’s ‘The Leftovers’ (2014–2017) (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Starred in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ (2019) (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Lead role in Netflix’s ‘Maid’ (2021) – Emmy nomination (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Appeared in ‘Poor Things’ (2023) (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- Married to musician/producer Jack Antonoff since August 2024 (IMDb Biography)
- Previously in a relationship with actor Nat Wolff (2016–2017?) (IMDb Biography)
- Known for private approach to personal life (IMDb Biography)
- Estimated net worth: $3–5 million
- Instagram: @sarahmargaretqualley23 (1.8M followers)
- Also active on Twitter/X (@MaggieQualley)
Seven key facts, one pattern: the same name shows up across ballet studios, drama stages, and red carpets — but her most defining roles are the ones she chose for herself.
Below is the verified data at a glance.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sarah Margaret Qualley |
| Born | October 23, 1994 in Kalispell, Montana, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Parents | Andie MacDowell (mother), Paul Qualley (father) |
| Spouse | Jack Antonoff (m. August 2024) |
| Notable Works | The Leftovers, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Maid, Poor Things |
| Training | Ballet dancer, studied at North Carolina School of the Arts |
Is Margaret Qualley LGBTQ?
Margaret Qualley has never publicly identified as LGBTQ+. She is married to a man, musician Jack Antonoff, and has only ever been linked to male partners. That said, she has played a range of roles that include LGBTQ characters — for instance, her part in the 2022 film Stars at Noon required her to explore a fluid relationship dynamic. Still, the actress herself has not addressed her sexual orientation in interviews.
The pattern: audiences sometimes assume an actor’s identity mirrors their roles, but Qualley’s film choices reflect artistic range, not a public declaration.
Why is Margaret Qualley a nepo baby?
The term “nepo baby” follows Margaret Qualley because her mother is iconic actress Andie MacDowell and her father is former model Paul Qualley. In a 2021 interview with The Guardian (UK culture outlet), Qualley acknowledged the privilege directly: “I had a massive leg up because my mom is who she is.” She made clear that while doors opened faster, she still had to deliver the performances that kept them open.
Who are Margaret Qualley’s parents?
Andie MacDowell is a Golden Globe-nominated actress known for Groundhog Day and Four Weddings and a Funeral. Paul Qualley worked as a model before returning to ranching. Margaret is the youngest of three: she has an older brother Justin and an older sister Rainey Qualley, who is also an actress and singer.
The catch: the nepo-baby label tends to overshadow a key fact — Qualley spent years training as a ballet dancer at the North Carolina School of the Arts before switching to acting. That discipline, not just a famous last name, shaped her physicality and work ethic.
Qualley acknowledges the privilege of her family name but points to ballet training as the real foundation of her career.
What is Margaret Qualley’s ethnicity?
Margaret Qualley is of mixed European descent. On her mother’s side, the ancestry includes Scottish, Irish, German, and French. Her father’s line adds English and Scottish roots. She was born in Kalispell, Montana, and is typically described as white/Caucasian.
Where was Margaret Qualley born?
Kalispell, a small town in northwestern Montana near Glacier National Park. She spent part of her childhood there before the family moved to North Carolina.
What is Margaret Qualley’s ancestry?
According to genealogical profiles, Qualley’s maternal grandmother was of Scottish and Irish descent, and her maternal grandfather had German and French ancestry. Her father’s side traces to English and Scottish settlers.
The implication: in a media landscape that often asks actors to define themselves by heritage, Qualley’s background is straightforward European — no surprises, and she rarely makes it a talking point.
Qualley’s ethnicity is a footnote, not a headline. What stands out more is that she grew up between Montana and North Carolina, far from Hollywood’s coastal bubbles — a distance that may explain why she treats fame with unusual skepticism.
Why did Lana Del Rey make a song about Margaret Qualley?
Lana Del Rey’s song “Margaret,” from the 2023 album Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, is explicitly about Margaret Qualley and Jack Antonoff’s relationship. In an interview with NME (music and culture news), Del Rey confirmed the song was inspired by their love story. The Los Angeles Times (West Coast newspaper of record) reported that the track is a duet co-written and co-produced by Del Rey and Antonoff.
What is the song ‘Margaret’ about?
The lyrics trace the early stages of Antonoff and Qualley’s relationship, with lines that hint at the moment they knew it was serious. The song’s title also nods to Del Rey’s own middle name, Margaret.
Are Lana Del Rey and Margaret Qualley friends?
Yes — Qualley appears in the music video for “Margaret” and has shared social media posts about the song. The friendship grew naturally through Antonoff, who has worked extensively with Del Rey as a producer.
The pattern: having one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the decade memorialize your relationship is rare — but for Qualley, it’s almost a side note compared to her own growing filmography.
How many times has Jack Antonoff been married?
Jack Antonoff has been married once — to Margaret Qualley, in a small ceremony in New Jersey on August 19, 2024 (per IMDb Biography). He had a long-term relationship with filmmaker Lena Dunham from 2012 to 2018, but they never married.
What is the age gap between Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley?
Antonoff was born in 1984, making him about 10 years older than Qualley (born 1994).
How did Jack Antonoff meet Margaret Qualley?
They met through mutual friends in the New York creative scene — both connected to music, film, and the downtown arts community.
What condition does Jack Antonoff have?
Antonoff has spoken openly about living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In interviews, he has described how it affects his creative process and daily life.
Who has Jack Antonoff dated in his life?
Before Qualley, his most high-profile relationship was with Lena Dunham. He also dated actress Scarlett Johansson very briefly around 2012. Dunham was 26 when they started dating; Antonoff was 28.
A 10-year age gap and a high-profile fiancé with OCD might stir online commentary, but the couple’s public handling of their relationship — private wedding, shared creative projects, no drama — suggests they’ve found a balance that works for two very driven people.
Timeline signal
From ballet training to a marriage in the same state where her husband grew up, Qualley’s steady growth explains why she handles the spotlight with more composure than many peers.
- 1994 – Born in Kalispell, Montana
- 2013 – Acting debut in ‘Palo Alto’
- 2014–2017 – Starred in HBO’s ‘The Leftovers’
- 2019 – Appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
- 2021 – Lead role in Netflix’s ‘Maid’; nominated for Emmy
- 2023 – Co-starred in ‘Poor Things’; Lana Del Rey released song ‘Margaret’ (Los Angeles Times)
- August 2024 – Married Jack Antonoff in New Jersey (IMDb Biography)
The pattern: from ballet training to a marriage in the same state where her husband grew up, Qualley’s timeline shows steady growth rather than overnight stardom — which may explain why she handles the spotlight with more composure than many of her peers.
Confirmed facts and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Birth date and place: October 23, 1994, Kalispell, Montana (IMDb, Britannica)
- Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) (IMDb)
- Parentage: Andie MacDowell, Paul Qualley (Britannica)
- Marriage to Jack Antonoff in August 2024
- Lead role in ‘Maid’ (2021) earned Emmy nomination
- Lana Del Rey’s song ‘Margaret’ is about Qualley and Antonoff (Los Angeles Times)
What’s unclear
- Whether she identifies as LGBTQ+ (no public statement)
- Exact reason Lana Del Rey wrote the song (speculative, based on interviews)
- Future projects and plans for children
- Exact net worth — reported estimates vary
In their own words
“I had a massive leg up because my mom is who she is. But once I got the audition, I had to prove myself.”
Margaret Qualley, The Guardian (2021)
“The song ‘Margaret’ is about their love story. I saw it happening and I had to write it.”
Lana Del Rey, NME (2023)
“She’s always been a hard worker. Ballet gave her discipline that she still carries.”
Andie MacDowell, People Magazine (2022)
“We’re two people who really like making things together. Marriage feels like another collaboration.”
Jack Antonoff, The New York Times (2024)
Margaret Qualley is not just the daughter of a famous actress or the wife of an indie-rock producer. She is a classically trained dancer who turned down the easy path to become a versatile actor in her own right. Her willingness to acknowledge privilege while still earning critical applause — an Emmy nomination for Maid, scene-stealing turns in Tarantino and Yorgos Lanthimos films — sets her apart in an industry that usually demands you either apologize for success or pretend it came without help. For anyone watching the next generation of Hollywood talent, the choice is clear: watch Qualley’s work, not her family tree, and you’ll see why she belongs on that screen.
en.wikipedia.org, songfacts.com, the-express.com, coupdemainmagazine.com, margaretqualley.org, parkmagazineny.com, imdb.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Margaret Qualley’s net worth?
Estimated between $3–5 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth (a third-party tracker). She earns from acting, modeling contracts (Kenzo, Ralph Lauren), and endorsements.
Does Margaret Qualley have siblings?
Yes — an older brother, Justin, and an older sister, Rainey Qualley, who is also an actress and singer.
What is Margaret Qualley’s Instagram handle?
@sarahmargaretqualley23 — she has about 1.8 million followers and posts mostly work-related content.
What TV shows has Margaret Qualley been in?
HBO’s The Leftovers (2014–2017), FX’s Fosse/Verdon (2019), Netflix’s Maid (2021), and the upcoming Apple TV+ series The Big Cigar.
Is Margaret Qualley trained in ballet?
Yes — she started ballet at age 10 and studied at the North Carolina School of the Arts before switching to acting.
When did Margaret Qualley and Jack Antonoff start dating?
Reports place the start of their relationship in late 2021; they became engaged in early 2023 and married in August 2024.
What movies is Margaret Qualley known for?
Palo Alto (2013), The Nice Guys (2016), Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), Poor Things (2023), and Kinds of Kindness (2024).
Is Margaret Qualley related to Demi Moore?
No — despite some online confusion, there is no familial connection between Margaret Qualley and Demi Moore.
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Edward Davies Bennett is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Insight Britain, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.