Early Life and Foundations
Born on October 23, 1994, in Kalispell, Montana, Margret Qualley spent her first years on her family’s cattle ranch near Missoula. At age 4, the Qualleys relocated to Asheville, North Carolina, where she and her siblings—Rainey (b. 1989) and Justin (b. 1987)—experienced a blend of rural living and artistic exposure. Following her parents’ separation in 1999, Margret’s upbringing combined Western resilience with Southern cultural influences.
| Year | Age | Milestone | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 0 | Birth | Kalispell, MT |
| 1998 | 4 | Family moves to Asheville | Asheville, NC |
| 2008 | 14 | Admitted to North Carolina School of the Arts | Winston-Salem, NC |
| 2010 | 16 | Apprenticeship with major ballet company | New York, NY |
| 2011 | 17 | Decision to pivot from ballet to modeling | New York, NY |
From 2008 through 2010, Margret trained in classical ballet, honing discipline through daily 6‑hour practice sessions. At 14, she secured admission to a top arts academy, balancing academic study with technique training. By 16, she weighed the physical demands of ballet against her broader creative ambitions, leading to a decisive career pivot.
Modeling Career & Transition to Acting
At 17, Margret entered the fashion world, debuting in New York runway shows. Between 2011 and 2013, she walked in over 20 international shows and appeared in more than 15 editorial spreads. During this period, she:
- Participated in fashion weeks across 3 continents.
- Completed over 25 professional photo shoots.
- Collaborated with editorial teams in 5 major cities.
Her modeling tenure spanned from 2011 to 2014, during which she traveled to at least 12 countries for assignments. These experiences cultivated her on-camera poise and introduced her to the global entertainment network.
Pivot to Acting
In 2013, Margret made her acting debut with a supporting role in a coming‑of‑age drama. Key early screen milestones:
| Year | Project | Role Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Independent Feature Film | Supporting | First credited film appearance |
| 2014 | Television Series | Recurring | Appeared in 6 episodes over 3 seasons |
| 2016 | Major Studio Release | Supporting | Share of screen time ~12 minutes |
| 2017 | International Adaptation | Supporting | Filmed in 2 countries over 8-week shoot |
Her transition leveraged modeling confidence and a disciplined work ethic. By framing each role as a structured project—with timelines, character studies, and performance metrics—she quickly adapted to professional sets.
Breakthrough Roles & Critical Acclaim
Margret’s first major acclaim arrived in 2019, when she portrayed Ann Reinking in a high-profile limited series. That year also saw her in a Western‑era ensemble film. Awards and nominations timeline:
| Year | Role | Production Type | Award Nomination |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Ann Reinking | Television Series | 1 Emmy nomination; 1 Guild nomination |
| 2019 | Ensemble Cast Member | Feature Film | 1 Guild nomination |
| 2021 | Lead as Single Mother | Streaming Miniseries | 1 Golden Globe nod; 1 Emmy nod |
| 2023 | Supporting Role in Period Piece | Feature Film | Critics’ Choice nomination |
| 2024 | Leading Role in Horror Drama | Feature Film | 1 Film Critics’ Circle nomination |
- 2019: Delivered a performance spanning 8 episodes, averaging 25 minutes per episode.
- 2021: Headlined a streaming series with 10 episodes, each 30–45 minutes long.
- 2023–2024: Expanded into diverse genres, appearing in 3 films within a 12‑month window.
These achievements underscore her versatility—mastering both depth in dramatic arcs and range across genres.
Personal Life & Family Ties
In August 2023, Margret married a musician and producer in a ceremony held in New Jersey, attended by approximately 150 guests. The wedding featured a 3‑day celebration with family and close friends from the entertainment industry.
| Relation | Name | Birth Year | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mother | Andie MacDowell | 1958 | Raised Margret in Montana and NC |
| Father | Paul Qualley | 1962 | Rancher and former model |
| Sister | Rainey (“Rainsford”) Qualley | 1989 | Singer‑songwriter; first child born late 2024 |
| Brother | Justin Qualley | 1987 | Became father to daughter in 2022 |
Margret maintains close bonds with her family, frequently traveling to Los Angeles and Montreal for visits. In December 2024, she supported her sister through a 75‑hour labor stay, underscoring the strength of their sibling connection.
Cultural Heritage & Influences
Margret’s ancestry spans Norwegian, Belgian, Dutch, and Walloon roots on her father’s side, and Scottish lineage maternally. Her upbringing combined:
- Montana ranch life (ages 0–4)
- North Carolina Southern culture (ages 4–14)
- Urban artistic training (ages 14–17)
By age 17, she had lived and studied in at least 3 distinct cultural regions, enabling a uniquely adaptable worldview.
Filmography Highlight
The following table lists key screen appearances with dates, role types, and duration of involvement:
| Year | Title | Role | Screen Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Coming‑of‑Age Drama | Supporting | 15 minutes |
| 2014–2017 | Award‑Winning TV Series | Recurring (18 episodes) | 200 minutes total |
| 2019 | Limited-Series Biography | Lead (8 episodes) | 200 minutes total |
| 2019 | Western‑Era Feature Film | Ensemble | 12 minutes |
| 2021 | Social‑Realism Miniseries | Lead (10 episodes) | 350 minutes total |
| 2023 | Period Fantasy Film | Supporting | 20 minutes |
| 2024 | Psychological Horror Feature | Lead | 95 minutes |
Over 11 years, Margret has amassed credits in 7 major productions, totaling over 1,100 minutes of screen time.
FAQ
Who are Margret Qualley’s parents?
Her mother, born in 1958, is an award‑winning actress and model; her father, born in 1962, is a former rancher and model who raised her in Montana and North Carolina.
She switched from ballet to modelling when?
At age 16 in 2011, she concluded her ballet apprenticeship and debuted in international runway shows the following year.
What was her first acting role?
In 2013, she appeared as a supporting character in an independent feature film, marking her screen debut.
Which performance earned her first major nomination?
Her portrayal of Ann Reinking in a 2019 television limited series led to an Emmy nomination the same year.
How many siblings does she have?
She is the youngest of three children and has two elder siblings, Rainy (b. 1989) and Justin (b. 1987).
What languages or cultures influenced her upbringing?
Her early years were shaped by Montana ranch culture, North Carolina Southern lifestyle, and later New York City arts training.
