Paris, France – Hollywood icon George Clooney, his wife Amal Clooney, and their eight-year-old twins, Alexander and Ella, have officially become French citizens, as confirmed by a naturalization decree published in France's official government gazette, the Journal Officiel, over the weekend of December 27-28, 2025. The announcement marks a significant step for the family, who have increasingly made France their primary home to escape the intense scrutiny of Hollywood life.
The Clooneys' new citizenship allows George, a Kentucky-born American actor and director, to retain his U.S. nationality under French dual citizenship laws. Amal, a prominent British-Lebanese human rights lawyer fluent in French, and their twins—born in London in 2017—now share this status. The family's naturalization followed a rigorous process, including security checks and interviews, as stated by France's Interior Ministry.
The decision aligns with George Clooney's long-expressed concerns about raising children in Los Angeles amid constant media attention and celebrity culture. In recent interviews, the 64-year-old star has praised France's relaxed attitude toward fame and its stringent privacy protections, which strictly prohibit unauthorized photography of individuals, especially minors, in private settings.
“Here, they don’t take photos of kids. There aren’t any paparazzi hidden at the school gates. That’s number one for us,” Clooney told French radio station RTL earlier in December 2025, adding, “I love the French culture, your language, even if I’m still bad at it after 400 days of courses.” He emphasized that France's indifference to celebrity status allows his children to grow up without the burdens of constant comparison or intrusion.
The family's primary residence is the Domaine du Canadel, a sprawling 18th-century estate and former wine vineyard in the Provence region near the village of Brignoles, purchased in 2021 for an estimated €9 million (around $10 million). The property features extensive vineyards, olive groves, a vegetable garden, swimming pool, and tennis court, offering a rural, grounded lifestyle.
Clooney has described the farm as transformative for family life. “A good portion of my life growing up was on a farm, and as a kid, I hated the whole idea of it,” he shared in an October 2025 Esquire interview. “But now, for [the twins], it’s like—they’re not on their iPads. They have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life.” He added, “I was worried about raising our kids in LA, in the culture of Hollywood. I felt like they were never going to get a fair shake at life. France—they kind of don’t give a sh*t about fame.”
The Clooneys maintain other properties, including a historic manor in England, a renowned villa on Italy's Lake Como (owned by George since 2002), a New York apartment, and a home near his family in Kentucky. However, they have reportedly divested from Los Angeles residences, signaling a shift away from Hollywood's spotlight.
George Clooney's advocacy for privacy predates the move. In 2021, he penned an open letter urging media outlets not to publish photos of his children, citing safety risks. France's robust privacy laws, strengthened after high-profile incidents like Princess Diana's 1997 death, have long attracted celebrities seeking respite.
Local residents in Brignoles have welcomed the family. Mayor Didier Brémond described them as “a very simple and very accessible family,” noting Clooney's participation in community events, such as attending the town cinema's opening and shopping locally.
The Clooneys are not alone among Hollywood figures embracing French life. Director Jim Jarmusch recently announced plans to apply for citizenship. The timing of the Clooneys' approval coincides with upcoming changes to French naturalization rules, including heightened language requirements starting in 2026.
As the family enters 2026 with new passports, this citizenship solidifies their commitment to a quieter, more private existence. Clooney, whose recent credits include the Netflix film Jay Kelly, continues to balance a global career with family priorities, finding in France the normalcy he sought for Alexander and Ella.
The development has sparked widespread interest, highlighting how even A-list celebrities prioritize protection from fame's glare in an era of relentless media exposure.
