Andie MacDowell Left Hollywood for Empty Nester Life in South Carolina: ‘I’m Happier Now Than I Have Been in a Long Time’

Andie MacDowell is loving the simple life in South Carolina now that her kids have left home.

In a preview for The Drew Barrymore Show’s Friday, Jan. 24 episode, the mother of three, 66, shared how she’s dealing with empty nesting since leaving Hollywood.

“I’m happier now than I have been in a long time,” MacDowell told Barrymore, 49.

“I moved to South Carolina, and I really, I’m taking good care of myself. It took me forever,” she confessed. “Once my kids left, I felt this huge void in my life, because they were so important to me.”

The actress shares daughters Margaret Qualley and Rainey Qualley — both of whom have followed in her acting footsteps — and son Justin Qualley, with her ex-husband, Paul Qualley.

MacDowell credited Margaret, 30, for giving her the boost she needed to take the next step in her life.

Related: Andie MacDowell Says Her Kids Send Her 'Self-Care Messages' When She’s Feeling 'Blue' (Exclusive)

“Margaret really was kinda telling me I was supposed to be having the time of my life, but I wasn’t,” the Ready or Not actress said. “But now I am. I’m having the time of my life now. It’s really good.”

Still, even with support from the Substance actress, MacDowell admitted the process “was hard.”

Being a mother herself, Barrymore asked if her guest could “help walk me through that in a few years.”

“I’ll tell you what not to do,” MacDowell said. “Come to me, because I have all the information on how not to waste your time. How to get on with it and have a good time. I’ll tell you.”

Related: Andie MacDowell Doesn't Take Her Hit Series The Way Home for Granted: 'It's Nice at My Age' (Exclusive)

Last summer, MacDowell spoke briefly to Patheos about leaving Los Angeles, and finding a community in South Carolina.

“I have just moved to South Carolina, and there’s an Episcopal church that’s not that far away, that I think I might start going to, but right now I’m not,” she said in the June 2024 interview.

“I must be a failing Christian. I’m going to the nature church. But I will. I will.”

Before moving east, MacDowell listed her 7,024-square-foot L.A. home for sale in September 2023.

The five-bedroom, four-bathroom home with sweeping views of the Silver Lake Reservoir from the second floor was listed for $3,999,000 with Natalie Trabin of Compass.

According to the listing, the property, which MacDowell bought for $4.1 million in November 2021, was described as a “spectacular classic Storybook home” with “original 1920s fine craftsmanship.”

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MacDowell’s latest project is the drama series The Way Home, in which she stars as the family matriarch, Del Landry.

The Way Home airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Hallmark Channel and streams the next day on Hallmark+.

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