May 11, 2025: Hilaria Baldwin has opened up about the devastating impact the ‘Rust’ tragedy had on her husband, Alec Baldwin, detailing how the aftermath took a toll on his mental and physical health.
In her newly released memoir Manual Not Included, the yoga instructor and entrepreneur recalls how Alec “became a totally different man” following the fatal on-set shooting that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza on October 21, 2021. The incident occurred when a prop gun Alec was holding discharged during a rehearsal.
Although Alec faced involuntary manslaughter charges — which were eventually dismissed in April 2023 — Hilaria said the emotional burden severely affected his wellbeing. “His hands became cold, and he could barely walk. I brought him to the emergency room,” she wrote. Doctors attributed his condition to extreme stress, noting he had stopped eating and drinking. “It was like he was turning off,” she added.
A few days after being discharged, Alec’s condition worsened again. Hilaria was alerted by their nanny while on a school run with their children. “I rushed back and found him shaking, unable to stand up,” she shared. Though Alec initially resisted medical help, she managed to get him to the hospital.
Upon arrival, Alec’s condition took a frightening turn — he lost control of his vision, slumped over, and appeared unresponsive. “I thought I was going to vomit from feeling so helpless and heartbroken. How could this be happening?” she recalled. He was hospitalized for a week, leaving only with the aid of a walker.
Despite his condition, Alec returned to the Rust set to finish filming. To mask his illness, he wore an orthopedic boot, pretending to be recovering from a leg injury.
The Baldwins have also documented their emotional journey following the tragedy in their documentary series, ‘The Baldwins.’