France Defends Granting Citizenship to George and Amal Clooney

Actor George Clooney and his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, have been granted French citizenship, and the French government is standing by its decision.

French officials said on Wednesday that the Clooneys were naturalized because they help boost France’s global influence and cultural image. Their twin children, Ella and Alexander, were also included in the decision. The announcement was made last weekend through official government decrees.

The move sparked debate after junior Interior Ministry official Marie-Pierre Vedrenne questioned whether the famous couple received special treatment. Speaking to broadcaster France Info, she said the decision could raise concerns about fairness, especially since George Clooney has admitted his French is “horrible.”

Despite the criticism, the French government defended the move. Officials explained that French law allows citizenship to be granted to foreigners who contribute to the country’s international standing and economy.

The Clooneys bought a large estate in France in 2021 and have said it is their main home. French media report that they live part-time in an 18th-century villa near Brignoles in southern France. The area allows them to live more quietly, and French privacy laws help protect their children from paparazzi.

The Foreign Ministry said George Clooney’s global influence benefits France’s film industry, while Amal Clooney’s legal work often involves French academic and international institutions. “They maintain strong personal, professional and family ties with our country,” the ministry said.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, who approved the decree, also backed the decision, calling it “a big chance for our country.”

While promoting his film Jay Kelly, Clooney joked in an interview with Canal+ that he is learning French through an app. He added that his wife and children already speak the language fluently.

In a recent interview with Esquire, Clooney explained why life in France matters to him and his family. He said he didn’t want his children growing up surrounded by Hollywood pressure and paparazzi.

“I want them to have a normal life,” Clooney said, adding that raising his kids away from the spotlight in France has given them “a much better life.”