Andie MacDowell is embracing life as an empty nester, a transition that has come with its challenges and rewards.
During her appearance on *The Drew Barrymore Show* to promote the third season of her Hallmark series *The Way Home,* the 66-year-old actress shared her journey toward independence.
MacDowell revealed that her daughter, Margaret Qualley, once gave her some blunt advice: “Margaret basically told me I needed to get a life. She was right,” she admitted. “I’ve created a life now, but it took some time to figure it out.”
MacDowell has since relocated to her home state of South Carolina, where she lives in a community with peers her age, making it easier to connect and socialize.
She also spoke about her passion for fitness, though overdoing it on her Peloton led to knee and hip issues. After turning to physical therapy, she now feels stronger and healthier, despite aging-related challenges.
The actress also discussed her experience with piriformis syndrome, a condition where the piriformis muscle presses on the sciatic nerve, causing pain. Through consistent exercise and targeted therapy, she has overcome the discomfort.
MacDowell, known for her candidness about aging, emphasized the importance of representation for older women on screen, saying, “Women my age often thank me because I’m still representing them. We’re often overlooked.”
She highlighted the freedom and self-assurance that have come with age, adding, “I don’t have to struggle to be myself anymore.”
