Hollywood star George Clooney and human rights lawyer Amal Clooney have officially been granted French citizenship, according to a report by Agence France-Presse. The decision marks a significant step for the couple, who have increasingly made France a central part of their family life.
Official Decree Confirms New Status
AFP reported that it had seen an official decree confirming the Clooneys’ new citizenship. The move follows comments George Clooney made earlier this month, when he openly praised France’s strict privacy protections during a radio interview. At the time, the actor suggested that France offered a safer and calmer environment for raising children away from intense media attention.
Why France Matters to the Clooneys
The couple purchased a property on a former wine estate in the south of France around four years ago. Since then, they have spent significant time in the country, balancing their European lifestyle between France, Lake Como in Italy, and the United Kingdom. Amal Clooney, who is British-Lebanese, is reported to speak fluent French, making the transition easier for the family. George Clooney, meanwhile, has joked publicly about his ongoing struggle with the language, despite taking hundreds of days of French lessons.
Privacy and Family Life a Key Factor
Speaking to RTL radio earlier this month, Clooney highlighted privacy as a major reason for their appreciation of France. He said that photographers are not allowed to target children and that there are no paparazzi hiding outside school gates—something he described as “number one” for his family. The Clooneys share twin children, and their desire to shield them from intrusive media coverage has long shaped their lifestyle choices. French privacy laws are among the strictest in Europe, offering legal protections that align closely with those priorities.
Continued Career Commitments in Europe
Despite the move, George Clooney remains active in international film and television projects. He is set to appear in Netflix’s upcoming Call My Agent! movie, a feature-length continuation of the popular French series that brings together multiple guest stars. Clooney has also recently completed a press tour for Jay Kelly, a film directed by Noah Baumbach and co-written by Emily Mortimer. In the movie, he plays a famous actor traveling across Europe while reflecting on his life and career—an arc that mirrors his own increasingly European lifestyle.
A Growing European Chapter
With French citizenship now confirmed, the Clooneys’ long-standing ties to Europe appear stronger than ever. The decision reflects not only practical considerations but also a personal alignment with French culture, values, and legal protections. As one of Hollywood’s most recognizable figures and one of the world’s most prominent human rights lawyers, George and Amal Clooney continue to balance global careers with a private family life—now firmly anchored in France.
