Hilary Duff’s Estranged Relationship With Sister Haylie Duff Explained — Career, Family Drama & New Song “We Don’t Talk”

Haylie Duff and Hilary Duff visit "Extra" on August 6, 2015 in Universal City, California. Noel Vasquez/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Hilary Duff has one older sister, Haylie Duff
• The Duff sisters starred in the 2006 film Material Girls
• In February 2026, Hilary opened up about a rift with Haylie while promoting her new album luck... or something

Hilary Duff and her older sister Haylie Duff have been acting since they were kids, carving out their paths in the glittering yet demanding world of Hollywood from a very young age. The pair were raised in Texas by their parents, Susan and Robert Duff, before making the bold move to Los Angeles to chase their acting dreams. Hilary became a household name as the lead of Disney Channel’s iconic Lizzie McGuire, while Haylie secured a prominent series regular role on the long-running family drama 7th Heaven during its final two seasons.

Speaking with TV Insider back in June 2025, Haylie opened up in detail about the unique experience of navigating the entertainment industry alongside her famous younger sister at such a tender age. “I feel we both ended up pretty normal. I think it’s because my mom stayed really involved in my life,” she shared thoughtfully. “I spend a lot of time with my mom. I think the fact she was very involved in us navigating this industry is probably the reason we didn’t go off the rails more. I’m not saying we didn’t get into some trouble here and there, but nothing all that serious.” These words highlight the strong family foundation that helped both sisters stay grounded amid the chaos of child stardom, red carpets, and constant public scrutiny.

While Haylie continues to act and has now successfully transitioned into directing, she is also a devoted mom of two beautiful daughters. She shares Ryan and Lulu with her longtime fiancé Matt Rosenberg, with whom she has been engaged since 2014 – a relationship that has weathered many chapters with grace and commitment.

In February 2026, Hilary confirmed during an emotional interview with CBS Mornings that the heartfelt track "We Don't Talk" from her brand-new album is directly about her sister Haylie. The Younger actress, visibly moved as she spoke, revealed that her sister is currently not "in my life at the moment." This candid admission has sparked widespread conversations about family dynamics in the spotlight, adding a poignant layer to the sisters' once-inseparable bond.

Here is everything to know about Hilary Duff’s sister, Haylie Duff – presented with the same warmth, detail, and respect as the original, but expanded for a richer, more immersive read.

She is older than Hilary

Haylie Duff and Hilary Duff during The Prom Kings in Concert -... News Photo - Getty Images

Haylie Duff and Hilary Duff during The Prom Kings in Concert on February 2, 2005 in Beverly Hills, California. Mark Sullivan/WireImage

Hilary is exactly two years younger than her sister. Haylie was born on February 19, 1985, in Houston, Texas, while Hilary arrived on September 28, 1987. This close age gap meant the sisters shared almost every milestone – from school days and dance classes to their earliest auditions and first red-carpet moments – creating an unbreakable childhood connection that fans have admired for decades.

During a heartfelt interview with POPSUGAR in May 2018, Hilary opened up beautifully about what it meant to grow up with an older sister like Haylie. "We just have such a history," she said with evident affection. "We've grown up our whole entire lives together. So we know pretty much everything about the other person. There's such a comfort there and I feel really safe." Hilary went on to add, "She has always been my number one fan. My number one protector. I feel really lucky to have that safety in my life." These words paint a vivid picture of the protective, loving dynamic that defined their early years in the industry.

She’s an actress and director

Haylie has built an impressive and diverse resume over the years. She starred in the beloved family series 7th Heaven, brought charm to the cult-classic comedy Napoleon Dynamite, and appeared in romantic favorites like The Wedding Pact, The Sandman, and Sweet On You. Beyond acting, she has stepped behind the camera with confidence, directing several projects including Project Baby, Killer Nurses, and Shattered Vows – many of which are popular Lifetime movies that showcase her storytelling skills.

Speaking with The List in June 2023, Haylie candidly discussed the exciting yet challenging transition from actor to director, especially after pulling double duty on Project Baby. “Right now, as I'm starting to get my feet underneath me directing, I'm going to stick to being not on camera as I direct, but it's a hard thing to not be able to see yourself and then be behind the camera at the same time,” she explained. “It's been a whole new experience for me and a whole new way for me to use everything I've learned over the last 15, 16 years acting, and I love it. It's been a great new avenue of my career.” Her evolution demonstrates remarkable versatility and dedication to her craft in an ever-changing industry.

All About Hilary Duff's Sister, Haylie Duff

Haylie Duff and Matt Rosenberg in July 2022. Haylie Duff/Instagram

She got engaged to Matt Rosenberg in 2014

Haylie announced her engagement to fiancé Matt Rosenberg – an entrepreneur with a warm, supportive presence – in April 2014 in the most memorable way possible: on April Fool’s Day! “Matt just took me by total surprise and proposed … on April Fool’s Day of all days! The moment was genuine and sweet (like him!) and I couldn’t wait to say yes!” she wrote joyfully on her blog at the time. “We are so excited and happy to share our wonderful news with everyone!”

The couple decided to postpone their wedding after learning Haylie was pregnant with their first child that same year. In a February 2018 PEOPLE interview, Haylie shared how life’s beautiful chaos has kept them grounded. “We talk about it and think, ‘Maybe now we’re ready to do it’ and then life happens and toddler happens,” she said with a laugh. “We feel married already and it hasn’t become something that both of us are gung-ho about.” Their long-term commitment, now over a decade strong, reflects a partnership built on love, patience, and shared priorities.

She has two daughters

Haylie and Matt are proud parents to two adorable daughters. Their older daughter, Ryan Ava Erhard Rosenberg, was welcomed on May 11, 2015, followed by younger sister Lulu Gray Rosenberg on June 5, 2018. Motherhood has become the center of Haylie’s world, balancing her career with the joys and challenges of raising two little girls in a loving home.

All About Hilary Duff's Sister, Haylie Duff

Haylie Duff and Matt Rosenberg with their two kids in October 2024. Haylie Duff/Instagram

During a December 2021 interview with Morning Honey, Haylie opened up honestly about the realities of being a working mom of two. "I am still trying to figure it out. I fly by the seat of my pants most days, trying to make sure that I am there for much of my kids’ activities and things like that," she admitted. “I try to outsource — I try to have a lot of help." She continued, “My kids are always going to come before work stuff. If I ever have the choice between going and doing something that is a volunteer thing for my kids' school or something, my work stuff is just always going to be pushed back because of it and that is probably not always the smartest thing, but I have that mom guilt that I think most moms have." Her words resonate deeply with parents everywhere, showing the universal struggle and deep love that comes with raising a family while pursuing passions.

She and Hilary have acted together

Haylie and Hilary not only grew up together but also collaborated professionally in memorable ways. They produced and starred side-by-side in the 2006 film Material Girls, playing glamorous heiress sisters whose lives turn upside down. The sisters also teamed up musically, recording a fun cover of The Go-Go’s “Our Lips Are Sealed” for the A Cinderella Story soundtrack – a project that perfectly captured their playful sisterly chemistry.

All About Hilary Duff's Sister, Haylie Duff

Haylie Duff and Matt Rosenberg with their two kids in May 2024. Haylie Duff/Instagram (Note: Similar family vibe to original October shot)

During her June 2025 TV Insider interview, Haylie reflected warmly on the 20th anniversary of Material Girls and the fun idea of a sequel. “That is a movie I feel like my daughters would love. They have not seen that, and I feel they would love that movie,” she said with a smile. “Look, never say never. I think we both needed to go and find our own way, but never say never.” This open-hearted comment leaves the door cracked for future collaborations, fans hope.

She moved back to Texas in 2021

Haylie grew up in Texas before the family relocated to California for acting opportunities. In 2021, she made the meaningful decision to move back to her home state with Matt and their daughters, seeking a simpler, more grounded lifestyle. Speaking with PEOPLE in April 2023, she explained how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated their plans. "When the pandemic happened and nothing felt normal, we were like, let's take a chance and do something really different," she recalled. "Everything feels tossed up and jumbled up, and the unknown kind of seems exciting. And so we just did it."

Haylie has expressed pure happiness with their small-town Texas life. “We love our neighborhood, we love our school and our friends here, and our kids are really happy here. It feels like everything just fell into place the way that it was supposed to,” she shared. The move represents a full-circle moment – returning to roots while building new family memories in the place that shaped her.

Hilary wrote the 2026 song "We Don't Talk" about Haylie

Despite their incredibly close bond growing up – sharing stages, secrets, and successes – Hilary and Haylie appear to have experienced a painful falling out. They haven’t been publicly photographed together since around 2019, leaving fans saddened by the distance between the once-inseparable sisters.

Hilary addressed their rift publicly for the first time in February 2026, confirming that her deeply personal song "We Don't Talk" from the album luck...or something is about Haylie. In an emotional CBS Mornings segment, she shared, "It's definitely about my sister and just absolutely the most lonely part of my existence. It's not having my sister in my life at the moment, and I really struggled with thinking about including that on the record."

The lyrics are raw and relatable: "Don’t know when it happened / Not even sure what it was about / ‘Cause we come from the same home, same blood / People ask me how you’re doing / I wanna say amazing, but the truth is that I don’t know / What I always end up saying is how / We don’t talk, we don’t talk about it / We don’t talk about anything anymore.”

All About Hilary Duff's Sister, Haylie Duff

Haylie Duff and Hilary Duff at Much Love's BOW WOW WOW Animal Rescue Benefit on July 14, 2007 in Bel Air, California. Frazer Harrison/Getty (Archival image reflecting their past closeness)

This revelation has touched many, reminding us that even in fame, family relationships can be complex and heartbreaking. Haylie has not publicly commented, and both sisters continue to focus on their respective lives – Hilary with her music and family, Haylie with her directing, motherhood, and peaceful Texas days.