George Clooney and wife Amal become French citizens with their children
George Clooney’s family now calls their farm in France home, prioritizing privacy and a more normal life for their children.
France is saying Bienvenue to the Clooney family.
George Clooney, his wife Amal, and their two 8-year-old children, Alexander and Ella, have been granted French citizenship, according to government documents seen by USA TODAY.
The Ocean’s Eleven star, 64, has previously talked about moving his family to France so his children can grow up with a more normal life outside of Hollywood.
“We live on a farm in France,” Clooney told Esquire in an October profile. “I grew up on a farm for a good part of my life, so when I was a kid I hated the whole idea of a farm. But now, for them, it’s like not having an iPad. They have to eat dinner with the adults and bring in the dishes. They have a much better life.”
he continued. “I was worried about raising my kids in the culture of Los Angeles, Hollywood. I felt like my kids would never get a proper shake up in life. France is completely unconcerned about fame. I don’t want my kids walking around worrying about paparazzi. I don’t want them to be compared to someone else’s famous kids.”
Clooney has residences in England and a home in his native Kentucky, but a farm in France is his and his family’s primary residence, according to a profile of Clooney in the New York Times published in February.
“Growing up in Kentucky, all I wanted was to get off the farm and escape that life,” he told the Times. “Now I find myself back to my old life. I drive tractors and stuff. This is my best chance at a normal life.”
Clooney married his wife Amal, a human rights lawyer, in 2014 and gave birth to twins in 2017.
The Oscar-winning actor is leaving his role in the Netflix drama Jay Kelly, where he plays a fictional A-list movie star with similarities to Clooney himself.
George Clooney reflects on fame and the ‘Jay Kelly’ what-if story
George Clooney reflects on fame, failure, and the life lessons his father taught him to pursue forever through movies.
Speaking to USA TODAY about the film, Clooney said that until he met his wife, he “wasn’t really interested in starting a family.” “Listen, I’m 64 years old and a father of two eight-year-olds, so obviously I was putting something off,” he joked.
Clooney also recalled a memorable conversation he had with his father 25 years ago about having children.
“I remember saying, ‘Having kids is kind of living forever. Well, my version is the movies I’m in, and those are my kids,'” Clooney said. “And my dad said, ‘How many stars can you name from 1920?'” He came up with about five names. He said, “That’s five.” That’s all I can name, but that was 80 years ago. ”
“He said, ‘You’re not buying eternity with these movies. You’re probably buying 80 years.’ And it was funny. I didn’t agree with him at the time, but now I completely understand what he’s saying, because I’m so happy in my life.”
Contributor: Brian Truitt, USA TODAY
