Academy Award-winning actor George Clooney, together with his wife Amal and their twins, has officially become a French citizen, as confirmed by a recent decree in France's official journal. The Clooneys, who have been vocal about their appreciation for French culture and the country's strict privacy laws, now see France as their primary home.
"Here, they don't take photos of kids. There aren't any paparazzi hidden at the school gates. That’s number one for us," George Clooney explained the significant role of privacy in his family's decision to move to France.
The family's connection to France has deepened over time, culminating in their acquisition of Domaine du Canadel, a picturesque estate in southern France. While the Clooney family has residential ties across Europe and the United States, including a historic villa in Italy and a manor in England, they have chosen the tranquility and privacy of their French residence as their main abode.
In a statement to RTL Radio, George Clooney expressed the paramount importance of privacy for his family, especially the well-being of his children. "Here, they don't take photos of kids. There aren't any paparazzi hidden at the school gates. That’s number one for us," he said. This sentiment echoes the concerns of many public figures seeking refuge from the unrelenting media spotlight, especially when it involves the safety and normalcy of their children's lives.
Despite only having studied French for 400 days, Clooney has embraced the language and culture with enthusiasm. Amal Clooney, a British-Lebanese human rights lawyer, is fluent in French and frequently works throughout Europe, further cementing the family's European connection.
The Clooneys' move to France and their newly acquired citizenship represent a broader trend among American celebrities who seek a lifestyle away from the intense scrutiny of Hollywood. Figures like Rosie O'Donnell, Ellen DeGeneres, and director Jim Jarmusch have made similar moves to Europe in recent years. Although some of these relocations have been vaguely linked to political climates, Clooney has clarified that his family's decision is not politically motivated but is instead focused on providing a normal childhood for his twins.
This narrative is not just about personal preference; it signals a growing consciousness among celebrities of the impact of fame on personal life and the lengths to which they will go to shield their families from its effects. The Clooney family enjoys the cultural richness and rural charm of their French estate, benefiting from the balance it provides between public and private life.
Clooney has been a long-standing critic of President Donald Trump, but he asserts that his family's relocation is driven by the desire to protect his children from Hollywood's pervasive paparazzi rather than a political statement. This stance underscores the multifaceted reasons behind the family's choice to embrace dual citizenship, reflecting a global trend of seeking out environments that prioritize safety, privacy, and quality of life.
