Meet Paul Qualley: Full Story of Andie MacDowell’s Ex-Husband

Paul Qualley is a name many people hear, but not everyone knows his full story. Most people remember him because he was once married to actress Andie MacDowell. But Paul Qualley has his own life, his own dreams, and a very interesting journey. His story is warm, simple, and full of quiet moments.

Many people search for Paul Qualley today because they want to know what happened to him after he left Hollywood. They wonder how he began his career, how he met Andie, and why he later chose a calm life far from the spotlight. His life shows that a person can move away from fame and still find peace.

In this article, we will look at who Paul Qualley is, where he comes from, and how he became a model and actor. We will also talk about his early years, his marriage to Andie MacDowell, and the things that shaped his future. So let’s get started.

Paul Qualley Profile Summary

Attributes	Details
Full Name	Paul James Qualley
Birthdate	March 14, 1958
Age (2025)	67 years old
Birthplace	New York City, USA
Current Home	Missoula, Montana, USA
Nationality	American
Known For	Former model, ex-husband of Andie MacDowell
Career	Model, actor, musician, rancher
Children	Justin, Rainey, Margaret Qualley
Notable Kids’ Careers	Rainey & Margaret (actresses), Justin (real estate)
Marital Status	Divorced (Andie MacDowell)
Lifestyle Today	Private ranch life in Montana

Meet Paul Qualley

Paul Qualley is an American former model, actor, and rancher. He was born on March 14, 1958, in New York City. Many people know his name because of his past marriage to Andie MacDowell, but he has a life that is much bigger than that. He has worked in different fields and tried many things in his journey.

Paul Qualley has Norwegian family roots, and he grew up with simple values. He has blue eyes, brown hair, and a tall height of 6’2″. These features helped him become successful in modeling during his early years. Even though he was famous at one point, he now lives a quiet and private life.

Today, Paul Qualley is known as someone who once lived in Hollywood but later walked away from it. He became a rancher, a contractor, and a real estate worker. He likes simple work, open land, and a peaceful lifestyle. This makes people even more curious about him and his choices.

Paul Qualley’s Early Life and Family

Paul Qualley was born to two loving parents named Lee James Qualley and Patricia Ann Rondou. His family background comes from Norway, which gives him a strong cultural history. He grew up in a normal home with simple values, and this shaped his calm and steady personality later in life.

As a young boy, Paul Qualley loved sports. He was very active and enjoyed pushing himself to do better. His hard work paid off when he became a sports star in high school. His skills were so strong that he earned a football scholarship, something many students dream about.

Because of his talent, Paul Qualley went to California State University, Fullerton, where he studied and played sports. He finished his degree in 1980. This college experience helped him learn discipline, balance, and the value of hard work. These lessons later helped him in both modeling and ranching.

Even though he grew up in New York, Paul Qualley always liked open spaces and quiet places. This love for nature later inspired him to choose a ranch life. But before that happened, he entered a very different world — the world of modeling.

Paul’s Modeling Career

Paul Qualley began modeling at a young age. People around him noticed his tall height, his sharp features, and his friendly smile. His family and friends encouraged him to try modeling because they believed he had the perfect look for it. Soon, he started getting real modeling jobs.

During his 20s and 30s, Paul Qualley became a well-known model. He walked on runways, did photo shoots, and traveled across the United States and Europe. Modeling gave him a chance to see many new places and meet many new people. It also opened the door to more work in the entertainment world.

One of the most famous jobs Paul Qualley did was for the GAP brand. This job not only helped him grow in the modeling field but also changed his whole life. It was during this work that he met someone very important — actress Andie MacDowell. Their meeting started a new chapter in his life.

Along with modeling, Paul Qualley also tried acting and music. He acted in the 2009 film Moon Europa, where he played a character named Clo. He also released a song in 1984 called “Please Please,” which some fans still remember today. Even though he enjoyed these things, he later chose a different path.

How Paul Qualley Met Andie MacDowell

The meeting between Paul Qualley and Andie MacDowell feels like a scene from a movie. They met in the mid-1980s while working together on a GAP commercial. They were both young, talented, and working hard in the modeling world. Their connection was quick, warm, and very natural.

Many people say they looked perfect together. They had great chemistry, both on set and off set. Working on the same project gave them time to talk, laugh, and get to know each other. Their friendship soon turned into a romantic relationship. It was a simple beginning to a very important part of their lives.

Paul Qualley and Andie started dating soon after their first meeting. Their love grew fast, and within a short time, they decided to get married. Their love story became popular because they were both rising stars in their fields. People loved seeing them together and following their journey.

Paul Qualley’s Marriage to Andie MacDowell

Paul Qualley and Andie MacDowell got married in 1986. Their wedding marked the start of a long relationship filled with love, family, and new experiences. After marriage, they decided to build a simple and peaceful life on a 3,000-acre ranch in Missoula, Montana.

Paul Qualley built their ranch home with his own hands, which shows how hardworking he was. While Paul focused on ranch work and sometimes acting projects, Andie continued to grow in Hollywood. She became more famous with movies like Groundhog Day and Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Even though they loved each other, life became difficult over time. Andie had to travel for movies, and Paul often had to travel for acting roles too. Andie later shared that she did not want to grow old in a very quiet place far from her family. This created distance in their marriage.

After 13 years together, Paul Qualley and Andie MacDowell ended their marriage in 1999. Andie moved away from the ranch with their children. Paul stepped away from the spotlight after the divorce and chose a private life. Even though their marriage ended, they continued to share love for their children.

Meet Paul Qualley’s Children

Paul Qualley and Andie MacDowell have three children together. Each child has taken a different path in life, but all of them share a close bond with their parents. Their children grew up on the Montana ranch, and that simple start shaped who they are today.

Their oldest child is Justin Qualley, who was born in 1986. Justin does not like fame and prefers a quiet life, just like his father. He works in real estate in Montana and enjoys living close to nature. He is also a loving father of two young daughters.

Their middle child is Rainey Qualley, born in 1990. Rainey works as an actress and singer. She uses the stage name “Rainsford” and is known for her soft voice and creative style. Rainey has acted in movies and also writes music. She also welcomed a baby with her partner, making Paul a proud grandfather.

Their youngest child is Margaret Qualley, born in 1994. She is the most famous among the three children. Margaret started with ballet, then moved into modeling, and later acting. Today, she is known around the world for her roles in shows like The Leftovers and Maid. She married music producer Jack Antonoff in 2023.

Even though Paul Qualley lives a quiet life, he stays close to his children. Margaret once shared that Paul even stayed in a hotel room next to hers while she filmed a movie, just to spend more time with her. This shows how much he cares for his family, even from a simple life away from fame.

Where Is Paul Qualley Now

Today, Paul Qualley lives a calm and peaceful life in Missoula, Montana. He spends his days working on his ranch, taking care of the land, and enjoying the slow and quiet moments that come with nature. This is very different from his old life in modeling and acting.

Paul also works as a contractor and sometimes helps with real estate projects. He likes building things with his hands and working in open spaces. These jobs suit his personality because he enjoys simple, steady work far away from noisy Hollywood life.

Some reports say Paul once lived in Panama for a few years after his divorce. Later, Margaret convinced him to return to the United States so the family could stay close. This shows how much he values his children and how strong their family bond is.

Today, Paul Qualley avoids cameras and press interviews. He prefers a very private life where he can focus on his ranch, his family, and his peace of mind. Many people admire this choice because it shows that he values real life more than fame or attention.

Paul Qualley’s Net Worth

Paul Qualley’s exact net worth is not fully clear because he does not share personal information. Some reports say he may have around $100,000, while others believe he may have close to $1 million. The difference comes from the many different jobs he has done.

Most of Paul’s money in the past came from his modeling days. He also earned some income from acting and from his music work. Today, most of his earnings come from ranching, contracting, and real estate. These are steady jobs that help him live a simple, comfortable life.

His ex-wife, Andie MacDowell, is worth much more because she stayed in the acting world and made many successful movies. Paul chose a quiet life instead of a flashy one. His worth is not measured only in money but also in the peace he created for himself.

Even though Paul Qualley lives away from fame, he has built a stable life. He found work that suits him and a home that brings him comfort. This shows that a person can leave Hollywood and still build a meaningful and happy life for themselves.

Final Thoughts

Paul Qualley’s story is simple but full of meaning. He started in modeling, lived in the spotlight for a short time, and then chose a life far away from fame. His journey shows how people can grow in unexpected ways and choose a path that feels right for them.

Many people remember Paul mainly because he was married to Andie MacDowell. But when we look deeper, we see that he has his own story, his own work, and his own dreams. His calm life in Montana shows how peaceful life can be when you choose what truly makes you happy.

Paul Qualley reminds us that fame is not everything. A quiet day on a ranch, moments with family, and a life built with your own hands can bring just as much joy. His story continues to inspire people who dream of a simple and honest life.

(FAQs)

How old is Paul Qualley?

Paul Qualley was born on March 14, 1958. He is 67 years old in 2025. Even though he once worked in modeling and acting, he now enjoys a calm life on his ranch in Montana.

What movies did Paul Qualley act in?

Paul Qualley acted in the 2009 sci-fi film Moon Europa, where he played a character named Clo. This was one of his most noted acting projects.

What is Paul Qualley doing now?

Today, Paul Qualley manages a ranch in Missoula, Montana. He also works as a contractor and sometimes in real estate. He lives a quiet life away from the public eye and prefers to stay private.

Is Paul Qualley married now?

Paul Qualley keeps his personal life very private. There is no confirmed information that he remarried or is currently dating anyone after his divorce from Andie MacDowell.