Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen’s Family: A Guide to Their Full House

Mary-Kate & Ashley's "It Takes Two": A Blast From Interviews Past

It takes two to celebrate this major milestone.

Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen turn 40 June 13. And if you’re thinking it’s been more than a New York minute since fans last heard from the child-stars-turned-fashion-moguls, that's because they prefer to live a life out of the limelight.

"We’ve been there, we’ve done that, we started out that way," Mary-Kate told British Vogue in 2019. "But this is the way we chose to move forward in our lives: to not be in the spotlight, to really have something that speaks for itself."

That something is The Row, the ready-to-wear luxury brand they launched in 2005. It came at a time when Mary-Kate and Ashley were switching goals—pivoting from acting to design.

"I don’t know how conscious we were of what we were doing at that time, to be really honest,” Ashley recalled to i-D in 2021. "We had just moved to New York. We were 18 years old and I think what we did know was that we wanted to take that time to take a break from what we were previously doing and to explore things that interested us, and explore what life has to offer…We wanted to explore making something of ourselves."

Although, many would argue they already had. Ashley and Mary-Kate's career started when they were babies after they landed the role of Michelle Tanner on Full House. From there, the actresses launched their media and merchandise empire Dualstar at age 6 and starred in several movies and series, including The Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley, Passport to Paris, Holiday in the Sun and So Little Time.

Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com/Shutterstock

Their last joint film was 2004’s New York Minute. And while Mary-Kate and Ashley have since cemented their place in the fashion world—their last public appearance together was at the 2025 CFDA Fashion Awards, where they were named American Accessory Designer of the Year—they can get frustrated when they’re still referred to as "The Olsen Twins" or "The Girls."

"We have had very interesting lives," Mary-Kate explained to Financial Times in 2023. "We work together. We’re business partners. We’re sisters. I think that's the first thing that comes to mind. How many other people are called 'the girls' when they’re designing? I think that’s where the disappointment comes from."

Because after all, they are adults. "Age doesn’t really matter," she continued. "But we’re still 'The Girls.'"

In honor of their birthday, learn more Mary-Kate, Ashley and their family.

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