From Hollywood to haute couture: George and Amal Clooney call France home
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Dec 30, 2025, 20:49 IST
In a surprising move, Hollywood’s own George Clooney and his attorney wife Amal have embraced a new chapter in their lives as they proudly announce their French citizenship. The family, including their twins Ella and Alexander, gained this status just last weekend, following their investment in a picturesque estate in France in 2021.
George Clooney, his wife Amal and their twins Ella and Alexander have been granted French citizenship. The announcement was made last weekend in the Journal Officiel, the official publication for French government decrees. This naturalization marks a significant step for the Hollywood star and his family, who have made France their primary residence.
The naturalization of the Kentucky-born actor, known for the "Ocean's" heist movies, and his family was published in the Journal Officiel. Amal Clooney, a human rights lawyer, was naturalized under her maiden name, Amal Alamuddin. The government notice also revealed that George Clooney's middle name is Timothy.
The couple acquired an estate in France in 2021. George Clooney described their "farm in France" as their primary residence in an interview with Esquire in October. This decision was made with their children in mind.
“I was worried about raising our kids in L.A., in the culture of Hollywood,” he told the magazine. “I don’t want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I don’t want them being compared to somebody else’s famous kids.”
Clooney believes that growing up away from the spotlight in France offers a better life for his children. He noted that they are not constantly on their iPads.
\"They have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life.\"
Representatives for George Clooney did not respond to The Associated Press' request for comment on Monday. The French government's Interior Ministry also did not immediately respond to AP questions on Tuesday regarding the Clooneys' new citizenship.
It remains unclear whether George Clooney has retained his American citizenship. Amal Clooney was born in Lebanon and raised in the United Kingdom. Their eight-year-old twins were born in London.
In recent media interviews while promoting "Jay Kelly," Clooney mentioned his efforts to learn French using a language-learning app, describing his progress as "horrible, horrible." He stated that his wife and children speak the language perfectly.
“They speak French in front of me so that they can say terrible things about me to my face and I don't know," he joked, speaking to French broadcaster Canal+.
French media have reported that the Clooneys spend part of their time at their luxurious 18th-century villa located outside the town of Brignoles in southern France. This location allows them to maintain a lower profile. French privacy laws also protect their children from unauthorized photographs.
Didier Brémond, the Mayor of Brignoles, told broadcaster BFMTV on Tuesday that the Clooneys are "a very simple and very accessible family." He noted that the actor shops in town and attended the opening of its cinema. The mayor believes their decision to become French citizens is a testament to "his love for our country."
“Here, he wants to live normally and that's what he is trying to do,” the mayor said.
The naturalization of the Kentucky-born actor, known for the "Ocean's" heist movies, and his family was published in the Journal Officiel. Amal Clooney, a human rights lawyer, was naturalized under her maiden name, Amal Alamuddin. The government notice also revealed that George Clooney's middle name is Timothy.
The couple acquired an estate in France in 2021. George Clooney described their "farm in France" as their primary residence in an interview with Esquire in October. This decision was made with their children in mind.
“I was worried about raising our kids in L.A., in the culture of Hollywood,” he told the magazine. “I don’t want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I don’t want them being compared to somebody else’s famous kids.”
Clooney believes that growing up away from the spotlight in France offers a better life for his children. He noted that they are not constantly on their iPads.
\"They have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life.\"
Representatives for George Clooney did not respond to The Associated Press' request for comment on Monday. The French government's Interior Ministry also did not immediately respond to AP questions on Tuesday regarding the Clooneys' new citizenship.
It remains unclear whether George Clooney has retained his American citizenship. Amal Clooney was born in Lebanon and raised in the United Kingdom. Their eight-year-old twins were born in London.
In recent media interviews while promoting "Jay Kelly," Clooney mentioned his efforts to learn French using a language-learning app, describing his progress as "horrible, horrible." He stated that his wife and children speak the language perfectly.
“They speak French in front of me so that they can say terrible things about me to my face and I don't know," he joked, speaking to French broadcaster Canal+.
French media have reported that the Clooneys spend part of their time at their luxurious 18th-century villa located outside the town of Brignoles in southern France. This location allows them to maintain a lower profile. French privacy laws also protect their children from unauthorized photographs.
Didier Brémond, the Mayor of Brignoles, told broadcaster BFMTV on Tuesday that the Clooneys are "a very simple and very accessible family." He noted that the actor shops in town and attended the opening of its cinema. The mayor believes their decision to become French citizens is a testament to "his love for our country."
“Here, he wants to live normally and that's what he is trying to do,” the mayor said.