Paul Qualley is a former American model best known as the ex-husband of actress Andie MacDowell and the father of Margaret and Rainey Qualley. After a successful modeling career in the 1980s, he walked away from Hollywood and built a quiet life as a Montana rancher. Here is everything confirmed about his age, marriage, children, and career.
Paul Qualley Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Paul James Qualley |
| Born | March 14, 1958, New York City, USA |
| Age (2026) | 68 years old |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Nationality | American (Norwegian descent) |
| Profession | Former model, rancher, contractor |
| Ex-Wife | Andie MacDowell (married 1986, divorced 1999) |
| Children | Justin, Rainey, and Margaret Qualley |
| Parents | Lee James Qualley and Patricia Ann Rondou |
Who Is Paul Qualley?
Paul Qualley built a modeling career in the 1980s before stepping away from fashion entirely. He worked major campaigns, including ads for GAP, and traveled through the US and Europe during his peak years in the industry.
His name became widely known after he married actress Andie MacDowell in 1986. Unlike his ex-wife, Paul never chased fame. Once their marriage ended, he moved to Montana and built a private life around ranching and family.
Early Life and Family Background
Paul was born on March 14, 1958, in New York City. His parents, Lee James Qualley and Patricia Ann Rondou, raised him with strong Norwegian roots. This background shaped his down-to-earth approach to life, even after fame found him.
He finished high school locally before earning a bachelor’s degree in 1980. Modeling interested him from a young age, and his family supported the pursuit once he was old enough to chase it seriously.
Paul Qualley’s Modeling Career
Paul’s modeling career took off in the 1980s. He had the height, look, and confidence brands wanted for both print and runway work.
Career highlights include:
- Modeling campaigns for GAP advertisements
- Runway and commercial print work across the US and Europe
- A brief acting role as “Clo” in the 2009 film Moon Europa
- A music release titled “Please Please” in 1984
Despite steady success, Paul never fully embraced the spotlight that came with fame. He treated modeling as a job, not an identity, which later made it easier for him to leave the industry behind.
How Paul Qualley Met Andie MacDowell
Paul and Andie MacDowell met in the mid-1980s while both were working on a GAP advertising campaign. Their connection was fast. Within about a year of meeting, the couple married in 1986.
At the time, MacDowell’s acting career was just taking off. Paul, meanwhile, preferred to stay out of the press even as his wife’s fame grew through films like Sex, Lies, and Videotape and Groundhog Day.
Their Marriage and Divorce
The couple stayed together for 13 years. During that time, they split their life between the demands of Hollywood and a quieter home base. Neither has publicly detailed the exact reason for the split, though both have described it as amicable in later interviews.
Key marriage timeline:
| Year | Event |
| 1985–1986 | Meet on a GAP modeling shoot |
| 1986 | Marry |
| 1990 | Daughter Rainey Qualley born |
| 1994 | Daughter Margaret Qualley born |
| 1999 | Divorce finalized |
Paul Qualley’s Children
Paul and Andie share three children, and each has taken a different path in life.
- Justin Qualley – Their son, who has stayed almost entirely out of the public eye.
- Rainey Qualley – Born March 11, 1990. She works in music and acting.
- Margaret Qualley – Born October 23, 1994. She is a well-known actress with roles in film and television.
Paul has remained an active presence in his children’s lives despite his low profile. Friends and family have described him as a hands-on father who prioritized stability over public attention after the divorce.
Life After Hollywood: Rancher and Contractor
After his divorce, Paul left the fashion world behind for good. He now works in ranching and contracting, spending most of his time on land-based work rather than in front of a camera.
This shift reflects a lifestyle built around:
- Privacy over public visibility
- Physical, land-based work over studio shoots
- Family stability over industry connections
He rarely gives interviews and has no active presence on social media, which has made him one of the more genuinely private figures connected to Hollywood.
Paul Qualley’s Net Worth
There is no confirmed, publicly verified figure for Paul Qualley’s net worth. Online estimates vary widely, and none are backed by primary financial records. His earnings likely came from his modeling years in the 1980s and his later work in ranching and contracting, but exact numbers remain unconfirmed.
Final Thoughts
Paul Qualley’s story stands out because he chose a quieter path when he could have leaned into fame. He built a modeling career, married into the spotlight, and then walked away from it on his own terms. That choice, more than any headline, defines who he is today.
FAQs About Paul Qualley
How old is Paul Qualley? Paul Qualley was born on March 14, 1958, making him 68 years old in 2026.
Who is Paul Qualley married to now? There is no public record of Paul Qualley remarrying after his 1999 divorce from Andie MacDowell.
How many children does Paul Qualley have? He has three children: Justin, Rainey, and Margaret Qualley.
What does Paul Qualley do for a living now? He works as a rancher and contractor, having left modeling behind decades ago.
Did Paul Qualley act in any movies? Yes, he had a role as “Clo” in the 2009 film Moon Europa.
Is Margaret Qualley Paul Qualley’s daughter? Yes, actress Margaret Qualley is his daughter with Andie MacDowell.
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