The French government has officially granted citizenship to Hollywood actor George Clooney, his renowned human rights lawyer wife Amal, and their eight-year-old twins, Ella and Alexander. The naturalization decree, published last weekend in the official government journal, was defended by authorities as a recognition of the couple's contributions to France's international prestige.
Citizenship Granted for "Distinguished Actions" and Influence
The French Foreign Ministry stated the family was naturalized under a law allowing citizenship for foreign nationals who "contribute to France's international influence and cultural outreach." The ministry highlighted that George Clooney's global stardom benefits the French cinema industry, while Amal Clooney, who uses her maiden name Amal Alamuddin in the decree, regularly collaborates with French academic and international institutions.
"They maintain strong personal, professional and family ties with our country," the ministry asserted, concluding the announcement by giving the actor's first name a French twist: "Like many French citizens, we are delighted to welcome Georges and Amal Clooney."
A Decision Met with Questions of Fairness
The high-profile naturalization was not without controversy. Junior Interior Minister Marie-Pierre Vedrenne publicly expressed misgivings on Wednesday, suggesting some French citizens might perceive the Clooneys received special treatment.
"The message being sent is not good," Vedrenne said in an interview. "There is an issue of fairness that, in my eyes, is absolutely essential." Her concerns were notably amplified by the fact that George Clooney himself has described his French language skills as "horrible, horrible."
However, Vedrenne's superior, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, who signed the decree, strongly defended the decision. "It's a big chance for our country," he stated.
A New Life in Provence, Away from the Hollywood Spotlight
The Clooney family purchased an 18th-century estate in the Brignoles area of southern France in 2021, which the actor has called their primary residence. French media report the family lives there part-time, enjoying the privacy offered by French laws that protect their children from paparazzi.
In recent interviews, Clooney has revealed he is trying to learn French via a language app, while his wife and children are fluent. "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 to a French broadcaster.
The actor has also spoken about his desire to raise his children away from Hollywood culture. "I was worried about raising our kids in L.A.... I don't want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi," he told Esquire in October. He believes life in France offers them normality: "They have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life."
It remains unclear if the 64-year-old actor, born in Kentucky, will retain his American citizenship. The family's naturalization follows standard procedures for non-French residents, who have multiple pathways to citizenship, though their case was accelerated under the exceptional contribution clause.
