Nothing to Hide

Written By Sydney Sadick

Photography By Andrew Werner

Hilaria, how would you describe the current life chapter that you’re in?

There are multiple parts to this chapter of my life—a mother, a wife, and then myself. I feel like those three parts form my identity. I’ve been reading a lot about how many mothers feel they lose or block their identity after having kids. That idea really resonates. At the same time, there’s something magical about turning 40. It’s often seen as a scary number for women, but I think it can actually be a moment of reconnection. You become less performative and more grounded in, “Hey, I’m a person, too.” As women, we deserve to live our full lives. That’s where my focus is right now—reconnecting with myself.

What were you like growing up?

I was always kind of a weird kid. One thing I used to do is every night before bed, I would ask myself, “How did I treat people today, and how can I do better tomorrow?” Looking back, it’s sweet, but I also wasn’t including myself in that equation. I shaped my identity around taking care of others—being a good friend, daughter, sister, and eventually a good wife and mother—but I always put myself last. Over time, that turned into an eating disorder, and then into suicidal thoughts. It became a lot of internal discomfort, because ultimately we’re human, and I wasn’t good at nurturing myself. As I’ve grown up, I’ve become much more focused on wellness—not just for others, but for myself.

Who had the biggest influence on you early on?

My parents, and my brother—we’re only a year and a half apart, and we’re incredibly close. But more broadly, my family was rooted in community. I was raised by a big, wild group of people—some related by blood, others not, but all of whom I’ve always considered family. It felt like a village that helped shape me.

How did wellness and movement become a part of your life?

I was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia as a child. It was a different time, and there was a lot of shame surrounding it. I didn’t see myself as someone who couldn’t succeed, but I did realize I had to work much harder than people who were neurotypical. Movement became my way of managing that. I’m naturally very energetic, very hyper, and there’s also a nervousness that comes with social interaction when you feel different, like you don’t quite fit in. Running, gymnastics, dance—those were the moments where I could turn inward and connect with myself. Movement became my best friend. At the same time, I’ve learned that wellness can become unwellness if you push too far. Now, it’s about balance—food, fitness, and mental work.

What’s your “secret recipe” when it comes to fitness and diet?

I run every day—about three miles—but I don’t go past that, even if I want to. I also do yoga, and I love barre classes; Physique 57 has been a big part of my routine. If I can’t make it to class, I’ll do it at home. When it comes to food, I’ve moved away from being overly strict. People are often surprised that I eat dessert most nights, I enjoy wine, I love bread. For me, it’s less about restriction and more about listening to my body—eating when I’m hungry and actually enjoying it without guilt.

A lot of people feel they have the authority to define who you are. How do you navigate that?

I used to be more affected by it, but I’ve come to see it as part of a larger system—a pattern in how people talk about women, especially women connected to someone well-known. There’s a lot of misinformation, and you can either respond to everything or ignore it, but neither approach is perfect. At a certain point, I realized this isn’t unique to me. It happens to so many women, whether they’re in the public eye or not. So now I focus on living my life. I keep moving forward. I know who I am, and I know what matters to me.

How would you describe yourself as a person?

I’m always evolving, so I can only describe who I am today. I’m someone who cares deeply about other people; I’m very empathetic. At the same time, I’m learning to extend that empathy to myself—to be the friend to myself that I am to others, and the mother to myself that I am to my children. Kindness is essential to me. I get energy from knowing I’ve made a positive impact on someone else.

What was your first impression when you met your husband, Alec [Baldwin]?

This sounds funny, but I genuinely didn’t realize he was interested in dating me. I don’t always pick up on social cues; I honestly thought he needed help with yoga because he had a bad back. Of course, I eventually realized, but that wasn’t my initial understanding. What really drew me to him was how much he gives. Over the years, he’s given so much to charity—often in ways people don’t even know about. He takes on work so he can give that money away. That resonated with me. At the time, I was a yoga teacher and didn’t have money to give, but I gave my time and energy. That shared desire to contribute and make the world better was something that deeply connected us.

Alec has devoted so much of his time and efforts into the Hamptons community. What was your first experience in the Hamptons like?

I had never been to Long Island before I met him, even though I had lived in New York for years. My students would talk about surfing in Montauk, and I honestly thought Montauk was in California. The first time I went out there, I got off at the wrong train stop, but we found each other and ended up having such a fun time. Meeting his friends and seeing his community was special.

Did you fall in love with the Hamptons the same way he did?

In a different way. He’s from Long Island; this is home for him. For me, I love being there—it’s beautiful, the community is wonderful, and the charitable work we’ve done is meaningful. But I also love other places, so my connection is a bit different.

Why did you and Alec decide to put your Hamptons house on the market?

It’s a difficult decision because we love it, but we don’t go out there as often anymore. With seven kids, even a short trip becomes a full production. Also, our family is in Spain, and I’d love for our children to spend more time there with their grandparents, their uncle, their cousins. So it’s about being intentional with how we raise our kids and where we spend our time. We can still have a presence in the Hamptons without needing a house that requires us to be there so often.

Looking ahead to this summer, what are you planning?

We’ll probably still be out there; we’re just exploring the idea of selling. There’s no pressure. If it happens, great. If not, that’s great, too. We’re letting things unfold naturally.

As a mom to seven children, did you always know you wanted a big family?

No. I met Alec when I was 27, and I wasn’t thinking about kids yet. I assumed I’d have them one day, but it wasn’t a focus. Then we had our first, then I got pregnant again and it just kept going. And we realized how incredible it is. Every child is completely different. It’s the most fascinating experience—watching them grow into their own people, with their own personalities and goals.

Did you ever get to a certain number where you thought maybe to hold off on more?

Alec would totally have more kids. My line to him is he can do that with his next younger wife. [Laughs] He’s more than welcome to do that, but with the next one. We have a lot of children, but they’re all necessary.

What does it actually take to manage a household with seven kids?

It really takes a village. Our extended family doesn’t live nearby, so our support system is a mix of school, nannies, babysitters, and friends. My friends are incredible; they’ll pick up my kids when needed. It mirrors how I was raised, where community becomes family. What matters most to me is having that sense of unity, whether it’s people we work with or people in our lives.

Who are your core friends today?

My closest friendships span every chapter of my life. My best childhood friend is in Spain. My brother is one of my best friends. My sister-in-law as well; I’ve known her for most of my life. Over time, I’ve built new friendships as well—some through work, some completely outside of it. What I love most is how diverse my circle is. It ranges from people in the spotlight to assistants, teachers, and people working in restaurants or traditional nine-to-five jobs.

You competed on Dancing With the Stars last year. Do you regret moving your kids out to L.A.?

No, I don’t regret it; we had a great experience. It was a real adventure for all of us. We homeschooled during that time, and I loved the people who worked with the kids, but being back in a traditional school environment is important to them. That said, because our family is so big and the kids are close in age, they’re truly best friends with one another. As long as they’re together, they’re grounded and happy.

You post a lot of fun interactive Reels with Alec. Is that planned out or more spontaneous?

It’s definitely spontaneous; we don’t really plan anything. We’ll just pick up the phone and do it in the moment. Neither of us has the capacity or desire to overthink content like that. He’s incredibly supportive; he’s always the one taking photos, and half the time he’s like, “Why am I not in this?” He’s always game, which makes it easy. I think that’s also why it resonates; we’re not very curated. There’s no big strategy behind it. We’re just doing what feels fun in the moment.

There’s often an assumption that when you marry someone famous, they’re the dominant influence in the relationship. But from the outside, it sometimes seems like you have just as much influence, if not more.

I think we have an equal influence on each other. We communicate constantly; we’re really connected. Even when we’re apart, we’re talking throughout the day. I understand why people might assume otherwise, especially given the narrative—famous actor marries a younger yoga instructor—but that’s not the reality of our relationship. There’s a deep level of mutual respect. We value each other’s opinions, and we truly listen to each other. We’ve been through a lot together, and the reason we’re still strong is because we communicate and support each other. It’s always been about us as a team.

What do you do to stay connected? Do you have set rituals, like a weekly date night?

Even more than that, it’s about consistency. One of the most important things he’s ever said to me is, “You’re my wife and the mother of my children, but you’ll always be my girlfriend.” We make a real effort to prioritize each other. We try to have dinner together most nights, and if we’re not in the same place, we stay in close contact. He’s incredibly present, and we both value that time together. At the end of the day, it’s about making the effort to show up for each other and not lose that connection.

Any favorite date-night spots Out East?

Nick & Toni’s, Highway, and Fresno.

What’s the No. 1 thing people get wrong about you?

Honestly, I don’t know anymore because I’ve stopped paying attention. But I think people assume everything is very curated and calculated, that every move is intentional in a strategic way. And even when it’s not, that’s what gets projected onto you. Then there’s all the noise—conspiracy theories and things that are just completely untrue. Everything from “I didn’t have my babies” to “Alec is miserable.” It’s so extreme that I don’t engage with it. I just focus on the bigger picture—my kids, my husband, and the things that truly matter. The more attention I give to negativity, the more it pulls my energy in a direction I don’t want or deserve.

What would you say to people who think they know your story?

I would say I hope they start focusing on their own lives. I think we’re all part of a system where women are taught to judge other women. I’ve even had people come up to me and apologize for believing things about me that weren’t true. And I tell them, you don’t need to apologize. We’re all part of the same system. Let’s just move forward, support one another, and not carry that negativity.

There have been recent headlines suggesting Alec wants to step back from work and live a quieter life. Do you feel like there’s a shift happening, where he’s slowing down and you’re stepping into a busier chapter?

I think what people sometimes forget is that Alec is, at his core, an artist. He feels things deeply, and he expresses himself in the moment, sometimes in big, bold ways. That’s part of what makes him so compelling. He’ll say something very definitive, very emotional, and then later reflect on it. It’s not inconsistency; it’s just how he processes things in real time. But the truth is, he’s never going to retire. He loves what he does too much. He genuinely loves working, being on set, being part of that creative process. He’ll say things in the moment, but then he’s right back to being excited about his next project; he thrives on it. Over the years, I’ve come to understand that rhythm. He has this very creative, almost childlike quality—not in a negative way, but in that he’s intuitive and expressive. It’s part of what makes him so brilliant and so engaging to work with. For me, it’s about understanding that—letting him express himself, and giving him the space to come back to center. That’s who he is, and it’s something I respect.

What’s next for you?

There are a lot of exciting things. I was just filming a show, and I’m about to go film another one somewhere much colder. I feel good right now. I love the work I’m doing. I love working with creative people. I’d love to create my own projects; I have a lot of ideas. I’m not someone who plans five years ahead, but I hope to keep surrounding myself with good people and doing fun, meaningful work.