Nick Kroll's wife is Lily Kwong, a prominent landscape architect, botanical artist, and former model who has carved out a distinct identity far beyond her marriage to the comedian and actor. While tabloids often frame her through the lens of her relationship, her professional portfolio spans major public installations, high-fashion collaborations, and environmental advocacy.
The couple tied the knot in November 2020 after meeting on the exclusive dating application Raya in 2018. They share two children, balancing hectic entertainment schedules in Los Angeles with large-scale ecological design projects. Understanding her background requires looking past celebrity headlines to examine her actual creative work, education, and artistic footprint.
Early Life and Academic Background
Born on May 29, 1988, in San Francisco, California, Kwong grew up immersed in creative surroundings. Her mother practiced various handcrafts like weaving and painting, while her cousin is fashion designer Joseph Altuzarra.
She attended the Urban School of San Francisco before pursuing higher education at Bard College and later transferring to Columbia University. In 2012, she graduated from Columbia with a bachelor's degree in Urban Studies. This academic foundation heavily influenced her perspective on cities, public spaces, and how humans interact with nature within concrete environments. She also studied at the New York Botanical Garden, sharpening her technical horticultural knowledge.
From Fashion Modeling to Landscape Architecture
Before establishing her design studio, Kwong spent time working in the fashion industry. She started modeling in 2007 and worked as a studio assistant and fit model for Joseph Altuzarra.
While modeling provided a window into the aesthetics of luxury branding, her true passion lay outdoors. She transitioned away from the runway to focus on ecological design, founding Studio Lily Kwong. Her signature style merges high-end artistic direction with regenerative landscape practices, aiming to reconnect urban populations with the natural world.
Her corporate and artistic partnerships expanded rapidly. She served as a project director for LVMH in Miami and designed large-scale installations for brands like St-Germain, Maiyet, and the Nike Foundation. Her work earned her a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the art and style category in 2018.
Relationship With Nick Kroll
Nick Kroll and Lily Kwong crossed paths on Raya in 2018. Their relationship developed quietly away from intense media scrutiny until late 2020.
In October 2020, Kwong announced her pregnancy via Instagram, sharing a photo with Kroll and calling him her "forever person". The couple married shortly after on November 19, 2020, in an intimate ceremony while Kwong wore a custom dress designed by Rushka Bergman.
According to profiles on Wikipedia, they welcomed their first child, a son named Leo, in January 2021. They expanded their family further with the birth of a daughter in November 2023. Kroll frequently speaks about fatherhood in interviews, noting how becoming a parent shifted his perspective on life and comedy.
Major Landscape Projects and Public Art
Kwong's design philosophy centers on biophilic design—bringing nature back into human-made spaces to improve mental and physical well-being. Some of her notable public installations include:
- Botanical Installations: Constructing living walls and immersive garden environments for major cultural hubs and galleries.
- Urban Greening Initiatives: Collaborating with municipal programs to turn neglected urban patches into thriving native plant habitats.
- Immersive Brand Spaces: Designing temporary, sustainable ecosystems for global fashion and lifestyle houses.
Her work relies heavily on native plants, drought-resistant species, and ecological restoration principles. She often uses her platform to advocate for sustainable urban planning and climate resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lily Kwong's profession?
She is a landscape architect, botanical artist, and the founder of Studio Lily Kwong. She previously worked as a fashion model and studio assistant.
How many children do Nick Kroll and Lily Kwong have?
They have two children together: a son born in January 2021 and a daughter born in November 2023.
Where did Lily Kwong go to college?
She attended Bard College before graduating from Columbia University in 2012 with a degree in Urban Studies. She also studied horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden.
When did Nick Kroll and Lily Kwong get married?
They married on November 19, 2020, after meeting on the dating app Raya in 2018.
