At an age when most people expect their children to be flying the nest Holly Hunter has become a first-time mum - to twins. The 47-year-old star of The Piano welcomed the new arrivals with her partner of 14 months, British actor Gordon MacDonald.

The gender and names of the babies haven't yet been revealed, although her publicist confirmed that they're "happy and healthy".

Love blossomed for the Georgia native and her partner when they co-starred in a West End play last winter. Asked in September what she was most looking forward to about double motherhood, the actress replied, "It's probably beyond my imagination."

Holly, the youngest of seven children herself, plans to take time out of her busy Hollywood career to care for her bundles of joy. Just recently the Oscar-winner starred in Nine Lives and The Big White opposite Robin Williams.

Her six-year marriage to cinematographer Janusz Kaminiski ended in 2001.

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