Hollywood star George Clooney and his wife, the renowned human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, have officially been granted French citizenship. Their two children, eight-year-old twins, have also received citizenship, as confirmed by a decree published in France's official government gazette.
Privacy Laws a Deciding Factor for the Clooney Family
The move formalises an ambition the actor hinted at in early December. Speaking to RTL radio, Clooney praised France's robust privacy protections, which he said were a primary motivation for the family. "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 stated at the time.
Clooney, who will now hold dual US-French nationality, admitted his French language skills are still a work in progress despite significant effort. "I love the French culture, your language, even if I'm still bad at it after 400 days of courses," he told the interviewer in English.
A Long-Standing European Connection
The Clooneys' ties to Europe are deep and predate their 2014 marriage. George Clooney has owned a property on the continent since 2002, when he purchased an estate on Italy's Lake Como. The couple also own a historic manor in England.
Their connection to France was solidified in 2021 with the purchase of Domaine du Canadel, a former wine estate near the village of Brignoles in southern France. Clooney told RTL that although the family travels frequently, their French home "is where we're happiest."
The family's global property portfolio also includes a New York apartment and a home in Kentucky, while they have reportedly sold properties in Los Angeles and Mexico over the past decade.
Clooney Not Alone in Seeking French Ties
The Oscar-winning actor and producer is not the only prominent US film figure looking to France. Acclaimed independent director Jim Jarmusch revealed on Friday, in an interview with France Inter radio, that he too plans to apply for French nationality.
Jarmusch cited a desire for a potential escape from the United States and an appreciation for French culture as his reasons, echoing some of the sentiments behind the Clooneys' decision.
George Clooney, celebrated for films like Syriana and Argo, for which he won his two Academy Awards, now adds a new chapter to his international profile. For Amal Clooney, a British-Lebanese barrister who is fluent in French, the citizenship further cements the family's multifaceted, global identity, with a firm emphasis on providing a private, normal upbringing for their children.
