France has granted citizenship to Hollywood actor George Clooney and his wife, renowned human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, according to government decrees issued over the weekend.
The naturalisation orders, published by France’s Ministry of Justice, also apply to the couple’s 8-year-old twins. Clooney, who was born in Kentucky, will retain his United States citizenship, as French law permits dual nationality.
The 64-year-old actor has repeatedly expressed admiration for French culture, particularly the country’s strict privacy laws, which he says have allowed his family to enjoy a quieter, more secure life away from public scrutiny.
In a recent interview with French broadcaster RTL, Clooney revealed that his family had found a farmhouse in France that they deeply cherish.
“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. “We also have a house in the United States, but our happiest place is on this farm where the kids can have fun.”
Clooney further disclosed in an October interview with Esquire magazine that the family lives on a large farm in France, featuring approximately 100 acres of vineyards, 1,200 olive trees, and a vegetable garden.
French media reports indicate that the Clooneys purchased the property in 2021 for an estimated $10 million. The estate is located on a vineyard outside the southern town of Brignoles.
The mayor of Brignoles, Didier Brémond, shared a photograph on social media in July 2021 showing his meeting with the couple at their new home. Last year, Clooney also recorded a New Year’s message thanking the mayor and local residents for their warm reception.
The timing of the actor’s citizenship approval appears significant, as France is set to introduce stricter language requirements for residency and naturalisation starting next year. Clooney previously admitted that learning French has been challenging, despite using the language-learning app Duolingo.
“My French is horrible,” he joked last year while arriving at the opening of a movie theatre in Brignoles.
