Hollywood icon George Clooney and his wife, internationally renowned human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, have been granted French citizenship, according to official government decrees issued over the weekend.
The orders of naturalization, which also include the couple’s 8-year-old twins, were published by France’s Ministry of Justice. While Mr. Clooney—born in Kentucky—now holds dual nationality, French law allows him to retain his original U.S. citizenship.
Seeking a ‘Quieter Existence’
The 64-year-old actor has frequently praised French culture and the country’s stringent privacy laws, which he credits for allowing his family to live more privately than they could in the United States or the United Kingdom.
In a recent interview with the French broadcaster RTL, Clooney highlighted that the protection of his children’s privacy was a primary driver for the move.
“Here, they don’t take photos of kids. There aren’t any paparazzi hidden at the school gates. That’s No. 1 for us,” he said. “We also have a house in the United States, but our happiest place is on this farm where the kids can have fun.”
The Brignoles Estate
The family has been residing on a sprawling vineyard estate outside the southern town of Brignoles in the Provence region. The property, reportedly purchased in 2021 for approximately $10 million, is a working farm that includes:
- 100 acres of grapes
- 1,200 olive trees
- A private vegetable garden
The Clooneys have established a warm relationship with the local community. The mayor of Brignoles, Didier Brémond, has previously shared photos of his meetings with the couple, and Mr. Clooney recently recorded a New Year’s message expressing his gratitude to the town’s residents for their hospitality.
A Race Against New Language Laws
The timing of the naturalization appears strategically fortunate. Starting next year, the French government is set to significantly raise the language proficiency requirements for foreigners seeking residency and citizenship.
Despite his new status, Clooney has been self-deprecating regarding his linguistic skills. While he admitted to using the language app Duolingo to improve, he confessed to RTL that mastering the language at his age is a challenge.
“My French is horrible,” the actor joked during a theater opening in Brignoles last year, though local residents have noted his efforts to integrate into the Provençal lifestyle.
Source: Africa Publicity
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