Hollywood power couple George and Amal Clooney have made a definitive life change, confirming their permanent departure from the United States after officially obtaining French citizenship. The actor and the human rights barrister, along with their eight-year-old twins Alexander and Ella, are set to make their home in the south of France.
A Provençal Dream Realised
The couple, married since 2014, laid the groundwork for this transition in 2021 when they purchased a stunning property in the Provence region. It has now been revealed that shortly after the recent festive season, the entire family successfully completed the process to become French nationals. The news, initially reported by several French media outlets, marks a significant shift for one of the world's most famous families.
George Clooney, 64, has been vocal in the past about his admiration for France and his desire to raise his children away from the Hollywood spotlight. In an interview with Esquire, he elaborated on the decision, contrasting life in Los Angeles with the future he envisions in the French countryside.
Seeking a 'Fair Shake' for Their Children
"I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life," Clooney said of his concerns about raising twins Alexander and Ella in LA. "France—they kind of don’t give a shit about fame. I don’t want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I don’t want them being compared to somebody else’s famous kids."
He painted an idyllic picture of the benefits of a more rural upbringing, noting, "A good portion of my life growing up was on a farm... But now, for them, it’s like — they’re not on their iPads, you know? They have a much better life." The actor has also been attempting to learn French in preparation for the relocation.
Part of a Growing Celebrity Exodus
The Clooneys are not alone in seeking a life beyond American borders. They join a growing list of high-profile figures who have chosen to move abroad in recent years:
- Comedian and former talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, actress Portia de Rossi, moved to the Cotswolds in England in November 2024.
- Rosie O'Donnell relocated to Ireland earlier this year with her son.
- Actress Lily Collins made Copenhagen her home in 2023.
- Pamela Anderson returned to her native Vancouver Island in Canada in 2020.
- Amber Heard moved to Madrid, Spain, following her defamation trial with Johnny Depp.
- Eva Longoria now splits her time between Spain and Mexico for work.
While the family's primary base will be near Brignoles in Provence, the Clooneys maintain an impressive international property portfolio. This includes homes in Los Angeles, South Oxfordshire in England, Lake Como in Italy, and Los Cabos in Mexico.
The confirmation of their move comes shortly after George Clooney shared the sad news that his sister, Adelia 'Ada' Zeidler, had died at age 65 following a battle with cancer. He paid a heartfelt tribute, calling Ada his "hero" for facing her illness with "courage and humour" and stating that he and Amal would "miss her terribly."
